Hideki Tojo
Hideki Tojo was born in Tokyo and decided on a career in the army. He did well at military college and served as a military attaché in Germany shortly after the end of World War One. Tojo became the leader of the militarists in Japan and despised what he considered to be weak civilian politicians. His views were shared by many in the public and in the 1930's the army and all it represented was held in much greater esteem than politicians in general. This became even more so after the army's victories in Manchuria from 1931 on.
In the summer of 1940, Tojo became Minister of War in the government, and he saw that Japan's future lay with the European dictators - especially Hitler - who were much admired in Japan. While the European dictators were admired and respected in Japan, the opposite was true for America. The people of America were thought of as lazy and without moral reservations compared to the disciplined workforce of Japan that worshiped their emperor, Hirohito.
As Minister of War, Tojo made it clear that Japan should push south in the Far East and take land owned by European nations. On October 14th, 1941, Tojo was appointed Prime Minister of Japan. By this date, he was convinced that a war with America could not be avoided, and he put Japan on a full war alert. He decided that a massive knock-out blow would be sufficient to remove America from the Pacific. As a result, Tojo authorized the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
The huge success enjoyed by the Japanese Army in the months immediately following Pearl Harbor, strengthened Tojo's standing in Japan - especially when the British Army surrendered at Singapore and Douglas MacArthur withdrew American forces from the Philippines.
In the summer of 1940, Tojo became Minister of War in the government, and he saw that Japan's future lay with the European dictators - especially Hitler - who were much admired in Japan. While the European dictators were admired and respected in Japan, the opposite was true for America. The people of America were thought of as lazy and without moral reservations compared to the disciplined workforce of Japan that worshiped their emperor, Hirohito.
As Minister of War, Tojo made it clear that Japan should push south in the Far East and take land owned by European nations. On October 14th, 1941, Tojo was appointed Prime Minister of Japan. By this date, he was convinced that a war with America could not be avoided, and he put Japan on a full war alert. He decided that a massive knock-out blow would be sufficient to remove America from the Pacific. As a result, Tojo authorized the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
The huge success enjoyed by the Japanese Army in the months immediately following Pearl Harbor, strengthened Tojo's standing in Japan - especially when the British Army surrendered at Singapore and Douglas MacArthur withdrew American forces from the Philippines.