TÔJÔ HIDEKI

By Justin Corkern
Tôjô Hideki growing
up
● Tojo was born in Tokyo Japan on December 30, 1884.

● He entered military school in 1899, just like his father

who was a professional military man.

● His father was a major general in the Russo-Japanese

War and served as a lieutenant colonel in the Sino-
Japanese War.

● In 1915 Tojo graduated from military school with

honors.

● After a short time abroad in Europe, he came back to

teach at that same school.

● Tojo was known as kamisori (the razor) because of his

sharp, decisive, impatient qualities. This also helped to
promote his rank.
Tôjô Hideki rise to power
● When Tojo graduated from the Imperial Military Academy
and the Military Staff College, he was sent to Berlin as
Japan’s military attache following World War I.

● Because of his strong stature Tojo was then given command

of the 1st Infantry Regiment after returning to Japan.

● Then in 1937, he was promoted again to chief of staff of the

Kwantung Army in Manchuria, China. Upon arriving back to
his homeland, Tojo took the office of vice-minister of war.

● He then helped Japan increase military control of Japanese

foreign policy.

● Tojo was an advocate for the signing of the 1940 Tripartite

Pact in alliance with Germany and Italy. This made Japan an
“Axis” power.
Tojo takes control
● Tojo was made minister of war in July 1940.

● The prime minister at this time was Prince

Fumimaro Konoye, who had been fighting for
demilitarization.

● He and Tojo did not agree and he soon became

tired of fighting with Tojo.This lead to the
resignation of Konoye because of the tension with
Tojo.

● After his resignation, Tojo then took his place as

prime minister.

● He also retained his previous titles which included

offices of army minister and war minister and now
the offices of minister of commerce and industry.
Tojo Hideki’s
Agenda
● Tojo was becoming the dictator he
had always wished for.

● He gained power of many offices

and promised a “New Order in
Asia”.

● Despite the disapproval of many of

the army’s generals he supported
the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

● Tojo’s aggressive policies ended

up giving his even more power with
major territorial gains in the South
Pacific and Indochina.
Actions taken by Tojo Hideki
● During his time as an Education Minister Tojo
continued his strict and harsh ideals in the
national education system.

● He also reinforced his totalitarian views and

policies in government.

● When he was a Home Minister he ordered such

horrible things as sterilization of the mentally
unfit and other measures similar to the Nazi
party.

● Tojo lead Japan into victory after victory.

● Tojo and Japanese elite were gripped by what

the Japanese called "victory disease". This lead
them to believe that they were invincible.
Tojo Hideki Outcome and aftermath
● In 1944 even he was once powerful he was starting to become hated by
his nation and other opposing countries that wanted to see him out of
office and punished for his crimes against humanity.

● Tojo admitted the nation faced "the most critical situation in the history of
the Empire" and did not want to accept or even talk about negotiation.

● The fall of Saipan in July 1944 forced Tojo's Cabinet to resign and forced
Tojo into retirement.

● On September 11, 1945 General MacArthur ordered his arrest. Tojo

attempted to shoot himself in order not to be arrested. However he did
not die and was put into Sugamo prison until his trial.

● Proceedings stretched out over 2 years. Tojo accepted his responsibility

and was found guilty of having "major responsibility for Japan's criminal
attacks on her neighbors". He was then sentenced to death by hanging
which was carried out on December 23, 1948.
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