Hideki+Tojo

=Hideki Tojo=

Hideki Tojo was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) and Prime Minister of Japan during most of World War II.

Contents 1. Biography 1.1 Early Life 1.2 As A General 1.3 War Crimes 1.4 As A Prime Minister 1.5 Capturing Tojo 1.6 Trial And Execution 2. Legacy 3. Sources

1. Biopgraphy Hideki Tojo was born on 30 December 1884. He died on 23 December 1948. He was born with the Chinese sounding name Eiki but later changed his name to the more Japanese sounding Hideki.

1.1 Early Life Tojo was the third s09on of alieutenant general in the IJA. He attended the Army Cadet Scholl in 1899. Tojo graduated from the Japanese Military Acacdemy in 1905 and married Katsuko Ito in 1909 with whom he had 3 sons and 4 daughters. Tojo became the leader of the Taisei Yokusankai which means Imperial Rule Assistance Association. The Taisei Yokusankai was for creating a single party totalitarian state and removing sectionalism in Japanese politics and economy. Later he completed his goals of becoming a general in the IJA and becoming the Japanese Prime Minister.

1.2 As A General In 1933 Tojo was promoted to major general and served as Cheif of the Deparment in the Army Ministry. He was given the nickname "Razor" for making quick decsions. In September 1935 he became the leader of the Kemptai in the Kwangtung Army stationed in Manchuria. There was a coup attempt in Japan 26 Febuary 1936. Both Tojo and Emperor Hirohito were opposed to this forcing the rebels in the coup attempt to surrender. Japan's radical officers and coup leaders were killed. He also led the the Kodoha military clique. He wasalso in charge of increasing Japanese presence in Mongolia/Manchukuo. After the Marco-Polo incident started the Second Sino-Japanese War Tojo's forces attacked northern China and Hopei. He also recevied Jewish refugees despite Nazi protests. In his only real combat experience he led units of the first Independant Mixed Brigade in July 1937. He was called back to Japan in May 1938 to serve as Vice Minister of war under the Srmy Minister Seishiro Itagaki. He was also the Inspector-General of Army Aviation from1938-1940.

1.3 War Crimes Tojo commited of inhumane treatment of prisoners of war as well as dozens of counts of waging unprovoked war and ethinic cleansing/genocide. The death Tojo caused is at least 2 million dead but could be as high as 8 million.

1.4 As A Prime Minister In events leading up to Tojo becoming Prime Minister America had an embargo with Japan which led to cabinet meeting with Konoe's last cabinet.(Konoe was the Prime Minister of Japan just before Tojo.) Tojo spoke of the embargo as undermining their control of Korea. Konoe resigned when it looked like avoiding war was impossible. Konoe also considered Emperor Hirohito as someone not interested in avoiding war. Hirohito appointed Tojo as Japan's new Prime Minister as he thought of the members of the royal family as not needing the tasks of the Prime Minister. Tojo was very loyal to Hirohito. Hirohito gave his consent to the attack on Pearl Harbor. In early November war was declared by Japan against the United States, Holland and England. In addition to being the Prime Minister Tojo was also the Education Minister, Army Minister, Home Minister, Commerce Minister and Foreign Minister. As the Prime Minister he ordered eugenics and created toltalitarian policies. Japan won every battle in Worl War II under Tojo untial they lost the Battle of Midway after which Japan started losing their battles in World War II. Due Japan losing battles they faced more military/government opposition.Tojo became Cheif in the IJA General Staff. However Tojo was forced to resign as Prime Minister after the Fallof Saipan.

1.5 Capturing Tojo After WorldWar II Tojo was arrested as a war criminal along with 39 others. He shot himself due his desire to avoid his trial and execution but he survived shooting himself.

1.6 Trial And Execution At his trail he was found gulity of war crimes. After this he is said to have accepted full responsibility for his involvment in World War II. He apologized for the crimes he commited. He was sentenced to death on 12 November 1948 and he was executed on 23 December 1948.

2.Legacy In his legacy he is remembered fondly by some and harshly by others. This is because some saw him as a protector of Japan and some saw him as evil. He is also defended by his granddaughter and is buried at the controversial Yasukuni Shrine which is decatied to soliders who fought and for died the Japanese Emperor.

3.Sources I obtained my information from the following two websites. [|www.wikipedia.org] [|www.yahoo.com/answers]