Hajime Sugiyama (1 Jan. 1880 - 12 Sep. 1945)
Sugiyama served in China until 1939, commanding the Second Sin-Japanese War. In 1940 he became the Chief of the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff, following the retirement of Kotohito. He was a strong supporters of war with the West, and was famously rebuked by the Emperor for him stating that war with the West would be simple, considering that Sugiyama had also said that war with China would be over swiftly (and it had continued for four years).
Japan did declare war on the United States, however, and in 1943 he became a field marshal. He was replaced as Chief of Staff by the Prime Minister, Tojo, in February 1944, following successive Japanese defeats. Following this, he became Minster of War. In 1945 he took command of the First General Army, tasked to defend the mainland from Allied invasion.
Ten days after Japan surrendered to the Allies, Sugiyama committed suicide, perhaps in keeping with Japanese tradition of death before dishonour.
For more information on Hajime Sugiyama:
Boatner, Mark M. The Biographical Dictionary of World War II (Novato, CA: Presidio Press), 1996.
Japan did declare war on the United States, however, and in 1943 he became a field marshal. He was replaced as Chief of Staff by the Prime Minister, Tojo, in February 1944, following successive Japanese defeats. Following this, he became Minster of War. In 1945 he took command of the First General Army, tasked to defend the mainland from Allied invasion.
Ten days after Japan surrendered to the Allies, Sugiyama committed suicide, perhaps in keeping with Japanese tradition of death before dishonour.
For more information on Hajime Sugiyama:
Boatner, Mark M. The Biographical Dictionary of World War II (Novato, CA: Presidio Press), 1996.