hirohito 3
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Born: April 29, 1901 Died: January 7, 1989 Grandson of famous Emperor Meiji Reagent: 1921-1926 Ruled: 1926-1989 Wife: Empress Nagako
Hirohito was most influential political figure throughout most of his time as emperor, as opposed to common misconception of Emperor Hirohito being a figurehead and is responsible for much of what the rest of the globe saw as the injustice done by Japan
Went to Peer’s School with his brothers, Yasuhito and Nobuhito
Togu-Ogakumonjo› military and liberal arts school› Only Hirohito & five students from Peer’s
Special secondary education from specialized teachers from Peer’s School and Tokoyo Imperial University› Combination of old conservative and new
modernization ideas Took tour of globe
› Opened eyes and encouraged him to become more informed
Emperor Meiji› Influenced him to take
control of his government› Legacy inspired HIrohito
General Nogi› Military style teaching› Taught ways of
Confucianism, bushido, and Zen
Fleet Admiral Togo- Togu-Ogakumonjo
Cpt. Ogasawara Naganari- Togu Ogakumonjo
General Nara- future aide-de-camp
Prof. Hattori Hirotaro› Natural History/Physics
Sugiura Shigetake› Confucianism› Behavior
Charter Oath of Five Articles Imperial Rescript on Education
Shiratori Kurakichi› Japanese/Western History-
nationalistic ideas Shimizu Toru
› Constitutional law› Enforced idea of Meiji being
ideal monarch- helped influence Hirohito to take control where Yoshihito did not
Toured Globe to enforce political ties› Made him less naïve and more inclined to
learn Continued education
› Daily Lectures and study Media used to improve Hirohito’s
image Used regency to acquire military and
political experience
Brought back emperor’s dominant role in politics› Displayed his power and image to
encourage Japanese people to follow him Began as idealistic Built reputation in political world Started
Manchuria and China› Needed for oil and raw material› Involved recklessness of army officers that helped make
Hirohito a more experienced and capable commander-in-chief
› Initial takeover easy due to military superiority› Long term Chinese resistance taxing on Japan- 8yrs.› Used chemical and biological warfare› Rape of Nanking- caused concern among global
community and came back to haunt him after WWII› Was unopposed due to Great Depression› Established “puppet government”› Paved way for Chinese communism
Indochina› Needed for oil to supply Japan’s war efforts during WWII
Prime Minister Konoe› Pacifist who
encouraged Hirohito to negotiate rather than fight
Prime Minister Tojo› Encouraged Hirohito
to wage war› Often thought as real
authority figure during WWII
Adm. YamamotoCommander in chief of naval forces
Prime Minister Konoe
Japan allied themselves with Nazi Germany and Facist Italy› Partially to have an ally against Soviet Union
Prepared and oversaw army and navy preperations for possible war
Faced oil and material embargoes from U.S.
Abandoned Konoe’s idea of negotiation and planned for blitzkrieg attack strategy› Involved Pearl Harbor and the conquest of
strategic islands throughout the Pacific
Initial “blitzkrieg” attacks gave Japan an edge over Anglo-American armies and navies
At first capable of taking over critical strategic points following a plan overseen by Hirohito to win the war
Mistreated POWs› Led to common negative Japanese stereotype
U.S. able to recover from initial attack and start pushing backwards
American bombings of Japan decreased civilian morale
Final blow delivered by atomic bombs brought about Japan’s surrender
Many officials, incl. family members encouraged Hirohito to abdicate
Unconditional surrender Former Prime Minister Tojo
took blame for WWII in order save Hirohito and keep imperialism alive in Japan
Hirohito used others to take blame for the war
Used atomic bombs as reason for surrender in order to cover up domestic issues
Loss of military
Picture of Hirohito and General MacArthur
Officially brought down to status of a ceremonial figurehead
Still secretly maintained great influence within government
Viewed by rest of world as passive monarch with no control
Hirohito at DisneyLand