Hideki Tojo
I was born to be a military leader, but never have I imagined that I would have created so much pain and destruction to so many people, and for that I am truly regretful to have done so.
I was born in Tokyo, Japan on December 30, 1884. I was always a good student in secondary and primary school; then I attended a prestigious military college. I attended Imperial Japanese Army Academy and I graduated at the top of my class. After graduating, I married a well respected woman named Katsuko Ito. I then attended the Military Staff College, and I built my career from there.
My early years of adulthood were very well spent because I worked hard to upgrade my ranking in the army. I went from the ranking captain in 1915, to the ranking colonel in 1928. I was also made commander of the lst Infantry Regiment. I returned to Tokyo after being named chief of staff of the Kwantung Army in Manchuria in 1937. However, in 1938 I became the vice-minister of war and I was one of the leaders of Japan’s Tripartite Pact with the countries Italy and Germany. July 1940 was when I was appointed minister of war in the cabinet of Prime Minister Konoe Fumimaro. I succeeded Konoe Fumimaro as prime minister on October 18, 1941. This gave me a rise to power, encouraging me to lead many battles in WWII.
The second Sino-Japanese War was one of the earliest battles I remember. It was July 7, 1937 when we had decided to invade China. Our plan to take over Manchuria was quite simple, actually. We had made a plan to take over all roads, railroads, and cities in order to gain more control. There was a railroad alongside Manchuria that we used to transport raw materials and other goods to Korean docks so we could ship them off to Japan. Although we had co...
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...me listened. “I am very sorry it is taking me so long to die,” I faintly said as each of the reporters zeroed in on me. Although I had wanted to die, I was put into an emergency surgery and I recovered from my attempted suicide.
I was tried for being a criminal of war. They charged me for waging wars of aggression, as well as ordering, authorizing, and permitting inhumane treatment of prisoners of war and others. At my trial, I announced that I am personally responsible for the war and attempted to turn away attention from the emperor. Although the protest of many citizens opposed to honoring me, they felt that I had brought disaster on Japan. My name, along with other war criminals, were commemorated at Yasukuni, the shrine in Tokyo dedicated to the memory of warriors fallen in service to the imperial family. I was hanged as a criminal of war on December 23, 1948.
In January 1965, Caputo, now an officer, is sent to Okinawa, Japan with men in the Third Marine Division. While waiting for the call to join the war, the young men start getting antsy and discouraged by the long delay of battle. Two months later, on March 7, 1965, Caputo’s company, along with many others, are assigned to a war location, D...
After a quick examination of the recurring theme of Japanese military arrogance, I will argue that the three most compelling strategies that the Japanese could have pursued in the spring of 1942 were, one – to consolidate the most important resource gains that were already made; two – commence immediate planning for a strong anti-submarine warfare campaign; and three – coordinate significant operations with Japan’s Axis partners, particularly in the Indian Ocean and Southwest Asia theaters of conflict.
“From the beginning, Japanese observers referred to the dramatic series of events from September 1931 onwards as the Manchurian 'incident' (jihen), a term apparently denoting an undeclared war..” Many historians agree with this statement and others think it was not so much an undeclared war but it was a major turning point for military usage in japan. Some believe that it was the start to the road to pearl harbor. Historian takehiko Yoshihashi believed that the Manchurian crisis was responsible for bringing the army's influence into japanese politics.
Sheridan, Michael. “Black Museum of Japan’s war crimes.” The Sunday Times. The Sunday Times, 31 July 2005. Web. 31 July 2005.
American victory at Saipan on July 9. Japan surrendered on Sept. 2, 1945, and nine days later Tojo attempted suicide by shooting himself in the chest, but he survived and was treated in the hospital. Condemned by the International Military Tribunal for crimes against humanity. He was found guilty of count 1 (waging wars of aggression, and war or wars in violation of international law), count 27 (waging unprovoked war against China), count 29 (waging aggressive war against the United States) count 31 (waging aggressive war against the British Commonwealth), count 32 (waging aggressive war against the Netherlands), count 33 (waging aggressive war against France (Indochina)), and count 54 (ordering, authorizing, and permitting inhumane treatment of Prisoners of War (POWs) and others).
Although I grew up in a military family, I never saw myself going into a military career. Up until I was about fourteen years old, I planned on being a marine biologist in Hawaii. Sounds nice, right? Well, at the end of my eighth grade year I decided that I might as well join NJROTC, because all of my friends were doing it and it seemed okay. I have to say, looking back, I was quite naive. Joining NJROTC was the smartest and most valuable decision I have made to this day.
General Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Power (otherwise known as SCAP), from day one became, except in name, dictator of Japan. No aspect of the Japanese nation was untouched, with special attention directed to the areas military, government, and the economy. While most revolutions throughout history have emanated from below, starting from the people, the social and political changes forthcoming was truly a "revolution from above." Within a month of landing numerous measures were enacted, either to dissolve e...
Throughout Hirohito’s years of leadership, he made several decisions for the country. One of his best moves being his announcement of Japan’s unconditional surrender on August 15th, 1945 during World War II. If Hirohito had not administered this military surrender, Japan would not have been able to develop and flourish in such a way that it has in order to reach such a point of success and progress – such as becoming the world’s 14th richest country. If Hirohito hadn’t surrendered Japan, his place in Japan’s government would’ve been abolished. Because of this admitted defeat, he thus showed his affection for his people by ending their suffering by ending their side of the war and in return, Japan’s economy and the country’s income thrived, the people remained loyal to their Emperor.
War changes people’s lives; it changes the way people act, the way they think, and what they believe in. The people of Japan hold tradition and honor above everything else, this is something that did not change throughout the war. Though the world is changing right before the Japanese peoples’ eyes, they keep honor and tradition locked into their minds as well as their hearts. Frank Gibney’s statement, “There is no question that the Japanese people had participated wholeheartedly in the war effort.” is partly true as well as not. True in the sense that the Japanese did do certain things that may be counted as participating in the war, yet these acts were not done wholeheartedly.
My initial reason to enter the Air Force was a great way to pay for college which turned into a call of duty and a service commitment which has actively allowed me to contribute to the Air Force mission. Thus far I have led a joint force search and rescue effort and a multinational exercise to preserve freedom. As an F-15E instructor WSO and combat mission ready WSO I actively contribute to ensure our freedoms are preserved and the attacks of September 11, 2001 will never happen again.
The United States was engaged in a naval battle with Japan from June 4-7 1942, 6 months after Pearl Harbor (Carson) (Interview). This engagement was The Battle of Midway and the most important naval battle of WWII. The United States was able to take control of the Pacific after the victory. This battle not only determined naval superiority in the Pacific but also was a turning point for the entire World War. (Interview)
Most American citizens remember December 7, 1941 and the significance that the incidents of that day had. The attack on Pearl Harbor was a shock to the United States of America and it engaged our country in the Second World War of that century (Pearl, 2009). Unfortunately, due to that incident, many Americans harbor many negative feelings and attitudes towards the country of Japan. While this is an understandable sentiment, it is unnecessary, because Japan is an influence on not on the United States but the entire world. Throughout this paper, we will look at the country of Japan as many have never viewed them before. Their actions of the past are just that, the past. Japan is a thriving and successful country within our environment and it is in our best interest to understand that country better. Japan, as a culture, is the
Isoroku Yamamoto was Japan’s commander in chief. He took part in many changes of the Imperial J...
Hasegawa, Tsuyoshi. “Racing the Enemy: Stalin, Truman and the Surrender of Japan.” Taking Sides: Clashing View in United States History. Ed. Larry Madaras & James SoRelle. 15th ed. New York, NY. 2012. 289-298.
Marston, Daniel. The Pacific War Companion From Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima. Oxford: Osprey, 2007. .