Hideki Tojo was a well-known military general who would go on to serve as the Prime Minister of Japan from 1941 to 1944. Additionally, he was also president of the Imperial Rule Assistance Association and played a more than insignificant role in Japan’s military expansion during World War II. Let’s wind the clock back to Tojo’s upbringing, how he came to power, and his downfall..
Tojo was born in Tokyo on December 30, 1884. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Japanese military and became a general in 1935. He was appointed the Minister of War in 1940, and a year later, he became the Prime Minister.
It was as Japan’s Prime Minister that Hideki Tojo was a strong advocate of Japan’s aggressive military policies. He believed greatly in the idea of Japanese expansionism and wanted Japan to become a world power. Tojo oversaw Japan’s attacks on Pearl Harbor, the Philippines, and other countries in Southeast Asia. As one might imagine, his participation in these military campaigns made him a prominent, if controversial, figure in Japanese society.
Tojo’s policies and decisions during the war were controversial, and his leadership style was criticized by many. He was known for his strict and authoritarian rule and did not tolerate dissent. Hideki Tojo also authorized the use of chemical weapons by Japanese troops, which led to widespread suffering and death.
Tojo’s downfall came when Japan suffered a series of military defeats. By 1944, Japan was on the defensive, and Tojo’s popularity had waned greatly in the public and cultural consciousness. In July of that same year, Hideki Tojo resigned as Prime Minister, but he remained the Minister of War. In October, he was forced to resign from this position as well. He attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself, but he survived.
After the war, Tojo was finally tried by an international tribunal for war crimes. He was found guilty of crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. He was sentenced to death and was executed on December 23, 1948.
Sources:
- Encyclopedia Britannica,
- History.com
- https://www.historyonthenet.com/pearl-harbor-ultimate-guide-attacks
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April 24, 2024 <https://www.historyonthenet.com/hideki-tojo-the-prime-minister-of-japan-during-world-war-ii>
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