Osami Nagano (15 Jun. 1880 - 5 Jan. 1947)
Nagano was a member of the Supreme War Council from 1934 onwards, as an admiral of the Imperial Japanese Navy. In 1941 he would become the Chief of the Imperial Japanese Naval General Staff. According to contemporaries, he was a weak leader, relying too much upon the strategic work of subordinates and too willing to be influenced by them and their right-wing views.
His tenure saw him go against his own wishes in the war against the United States. He personally believed that war against the United States should be avoided, and believed that Japan should capture British and Dutch possessions in Asia whilst avoiding war with America. For this, he relied upon isolationist elements in the United States government convincing Roosevelt to avoid war. Yamamoto’s plan to attack Pearl Harbour was only approved by Nagano when the admiral threatened to resign.
1943 saw Nagano gain promotion to fleet admiral. He would be removed from his post as Chief of Staff the next year, remaining only as an advisor of the government.
For more information on Osami Nagano:
D’Albas, Andrieu. Death of a Navy: Japanese Naval Action in World War II (New York: Devin-Adair), 1965.
His tenure saw him go against his own wishes in the war against the United States. He personally believed that war against the United States should be avoided, and believed that Japan should capture British and Dutch possessions in Asia whilst avoiding war with America. For this, he relied upon isolationist elements in the United States government convincing Roosevelt to avoid war. Yamamoto’s plan to attack Pearl Harbour was only approved by Nagano when the admiral threatened to resign.
1943 saw Nagano gain promotion to fleet admiral. He would be removed from his post as Chief of Staff the next year, remaining only as an advisor of the government.
For more information on Osami Nagano:
D’Albas, Andrieu. Death of a Navy: Japanese Naval Action in World War II (New York: Devin-Adair), 1965.
