Hideki Tojo (30 Dec. 1884 - 23 Dec. 1948)
Before the Japanese declaration of war on America, Tojo served as Chief of Staff of the Kwantung Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War, and later became Vice-Minister of War and Inspector-General of Army Aviation.
In July 1940, Tojo became Army Minister in Konoe’s government, strongly supporting both the Tripartite Pact and continued aggression towards China. 1941 saw Japanese troops invade French Indochina, which resulted in U.S. economic sanctions, including an oil embargo, which cut Japan’s oil by 80%.
He became Prime Minister of Japan in October 1941, succeeding Konoe, and would stay in this job until 1944. During this time he also served as Army Minister, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Foreign Minister, Home Minister and Education Minister. In this latter role he ensured that military and nationalistic doctrine remained in the state education, and as Home Minister, he authorised eugenics, such as sterilisation, to take place.
His popularity, which was immense as Japanese success in the war increased, plummeted as soon as the Japanese Army and Navy took defeats, and although he became Chief of the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff in 1944, he could not maintain power, resigning in July 1944, following the loss of Saipan.
For more information on Hideki Tojo:
Browne, Courtney. Tojo: The Last Banzai (New York: Da Capo Press), 1998.
In July 1940, Tojo became Army Minister in Konoe’s government, strongly supporting both the Tripartite Pact and continued aggression towards China. 1941 saw Japanese troops invade French Indochina, which resulted in U.S. economic sanctions, including an oil embargo, which cut Japan’s oil by 80%.
He became Prime Minister of Japan in October 1941, succeeding Konoe, and would stay in this job until 1944. During this time he also served as Army Minister, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Foreign Minister, Home Minister and Education Minister. In this latter role he ensured that military and nationalistic doctrine remained in the state education, and as Home Minister, he authorised eugenics, such as sterilisation, to take place.
His popularity, which was immense as Japanese success in the war increased, plummeted as soon as the Japanese Army and Navy took defeats, and although he became Chief of the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff in 1944, he could not maintain power, resigning in July 1944, following the loss of Saipan.
For more information on Hideki Tojo:
Browne, Courtney. Tojo: The Last Banzai (New York: Da Capo Press), 1998.