---

TOP/UPDATES/FOUR PILLARS/CINEMA+TV/GAMES/MANGA+ANIME/MUSIC/WRITINGS/FAQ/LINKS

JAPAN

Planning to visit Japan? READ MY TRAVEL GUIDE (not complete but has some recommendations I want everyone to know).

Japan has 47 Prefectures, which are traditionally grouped into eight regions. Note: birthplaces are given in modern names for ease of understanding, but many of them had different names historically.

• 北海道・HOKKAIDOU
• 1. 北海道・HOKKAIDOU
• 東北・TOUHOKU
• 2. 青森県・AOMORI
• 3. 岩手県・IWATE
• Notable Residents:
• 斎藤真・Saitou Makoto (1858-1932):. Born in 奥州市 (Oushuu-shi). Naval officer in First Sino-Japanese War and Russo-Japanese War. Prime Minister from 1932-1934. Assassinated during the February 26 Incident.
• 米内光政・Yonai Mitsumasa (1880-1948): Born in 盛岡市 (Morioka-shi). Prime Minister during 1940. Strongly supported friendly relations with America and the UK and opposed the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy. Took a central role in proving the innocence of Emperor Shouwa during the Toukyou War Crimes Tribunal.
• 板垣征四郎・Itagaki Seishirou (1885-1948): Born in 盛岡市 (Morioka-shi). Chief of staff during Second Sino-Japanese War. War Minister from 1938-1939. Conspirator behind Mukden Incident. Convicted of war crimes and executed in 1948.
• 4. 宮城県・MIYAGI
• Notable Residents:
• 今村均・Imamura Hitoshi (1886-1968): Born in 仙台市 (Sendai-shi). General. Led the invasion of the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia). Charged with war crimes by Australian forces in 1947 and sentenced to ten years in prison, but was released in 1954. After release, his guilt over serving what he considered too light a sentence made him build himself a replica of his prison in his garden, which he stayed in until his death.
• 相沢三郎・Aizawa Saburou (1889-1936): Born in 仙台市 (Sendai-shi). Lieutenant colonel and radical Imperial Way Faction (koudou-ha) faction member. Assassinated rival Control Faction (tousei-ha) figurehead Nagata Tetsuzan and was court-martialed and executed for it.
• 片倉衷・Katakura Tadashi (1898-1991): Born in 仙台市 (Sendai-shi). World War II general who operated largely in Burma. Prominent member of moderate Control Faction (tousei-ha) and sustained a head wound during the February 26 Incident.
• 5. 秋田県・AKITA
• 6. 山形県・YAMAGATA
• Notable Residents:
• 大川周明・Ookawa Shuumei (1886-1957): Born in 酒田市 (Sakata-shi). Right-wing nationalist scholar. The "Japanese Goebbels." Pan-Asianist who supported Japan leading the forces of Asia in a war between east and west. Co-founder of the Yuuzonsha organization. Involved in attempted military coups. Convicted of war crimes but declared unfit for trial due to (possibly feigned) insanity.
• 南雲忠一・Nagumo Chuuichi (1887-1944): Born in 米沢市 (Yonezawa-shi). Admiral who led the 1st Air Fleet in the attack on Pearl Harbor, Battle of Ceylon, and Battle of Midway. Suffered a crippling defeat at Midway and commit suicide during the Battle of Saipan.
• 石原莞爾・Ishiwara Kanji (1889-1949): Born in 鶴岡市 (Tsuruoka-shi). General. Conspirator behind Mukden Incident. Strong believer in Pan-Asianism and Nichiren Buddhism. Not charged with war crimes due to his opposition to Toujou Hideki and to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Accused Harry S. Truman of war crimes for the mass bombing of civilians.
• 服部卓四郎・Hattori Takushirou (1901-1960): Born in 鶴岡市 (Tsuruoka-shi). Served alternatively as chief of Army General Staff's Operations Section and secretary to Toujoi Hideki during World War II. Planned Operation Ichi-go. Leading military advisor in the post-war period.
• 7. 福島県・FUKUSHIMA
• Notable Residents:
• 松平恆雄・Matsudaira Tsuneo (1877-1949): Born in 会津若松市 (Aidzuwakamatsu-shi). Diplomat and politician with a long career including ambassador to the United States and Britain before World War II, Minister of the Imperial Household during the war, and President of the House of Councillors after the war. Pushed for early surrender in 1945.
• 高橋伊望・Takahashi Ibou (1888-1947): Born in 相馬市 (Souma-shi). Admiral. Commanded the Tenryuu, Atago, and Kirishima. Strong supporter of active invasion of Southeast Asia. Born into a family of Eastern Orthodox Christians with samurai ancestry.
• 児玉誉士夫・Kodama Yoshio (1911-1984): Born in 二本松市 (Nihonmatsu-shi). Naval officer and businessman. Right-wing ultranationalist who funded a number of criminal groups and was active with many secret societies. Involved in many anti-communist crimes in the postwar era, sometimes with support from government entities.
• 関東・KANTOU
• 8. 茨城県・IBARAKI
• Notable Residents:
• 永井八津次・Nagai Yatsuji (1901-1970): Born in 水戸市 (Mito-shi). World War II colonel. Present during the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender.
• 菱沼五郎・Hishinuma Gorou (1912-1990): Born in ひたちなか市 (Hitachinaka-shi). Radical right-wing political activist. Murdered director-general of Mitsui Dan Takuma as part of the League of Blood Incident in 1932. Sentenced to life in prison but released under amnesty in 1940.
• 9. 栃木県・TOCHIGI
• 10. 群馬県・GUNMA
• Notable Residents:
• 井上日召・Inoue Nisshou (1886-1967): Born in 川場村 (Kawaba-mura). Founder of far-right militant organization League of Blood (Ketsumeidan). Never officially ordained as a Nichiren Buddhist priest, but preached on Nichiren Buddhist foundations.
• 11. 埼玉県・SAITAMA
• Notable Residents:
• 森拾三・Mori Juuzou (1917-): Born in 飯能市 (Hannou-shi). World War II pilot. Released the torpedo that sank the USS California during the attack on Pearl Habor. Also participated in the Indian Ocean Raid and Battle of Midway. Was shot down and lost his right hand during the Solomon Islands Campaign, but survived. Worked as a bartender in Toukyou after the war.
• 12. 千葉県・CHIBA
• Notable Residents:
• 鈴木貞一・Suzuki Teiichi (1888-1989): Born in 芝山町 (Shibayama-machi). House of Peers member under Toujou Hideki. Helped to manage Japan's wartime economy. Convicted of war crimes and originally sentenced to life imprisonment but pardoned and released in 1958.
• 加瀬俊一・Kase Toshikazu (1903-2004): Born in 旭市 (Asahi-shi). High-ranking Foreign Ministry official during World War II. Authored the document formally terminating negotiations with the USA prior to Pearl Harbor. Present during the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender. Uncle of Yoko Ono.
• 13. 東京都・TOUKYOU
• Notable Residents:
• 高橋是清・Takahashi Korekiyo (1854-1936): Born in 千代田区 (Chiyoda-ku) in Edo. Prime Minister from 1921-1922 and later Minister of Finance. Cut government spending during the Great Depression in 1935 to the dismay of many right-wing radicals. Assassinated during the February 26 Incident.
• 荒木貞夫・Araki Sadao (1877-1966): Born in 狛江市 (Komae-shi). General. Involved in many right-wing secret societies and eventually a chief proponent of the radical Imperial Way Faction (koudou-ha) in the army. Proposed violent expansion into Manchuria and eventually Siberia. Convicted of war crimes and sentenced to life imprisonment but released in 1955 for health reasons.
• 吉田茂・Yoshida Shigeru (1878-1967): Born in 千代田区 (Chiyoda-ku). Prime Minister from 1946-1947 and 1948-1954. Important figure in creating strong Japan-US relations after occupation. Famous for prioritizing economic development over defense.
• 寺内寿一・Terauchi Hisaichi (1879-1946): Born in 千代田区 (Chiyoda-ku). Gensui who commanded the Southern Expeditionary Army Group in World War II. Generally disinterested in the increasing intersection of politics and the army. Accused of war crimes but died of a stroke before ever being apprehended.
• 嶋田繁太郎・Shimada Shigetarou (1883-1976): Born in 千代田区 (Chiyoda-ku). World War II admiral and Minister of the Navy. Commanded the Tama and Hiei. Convicted of war crimes and sentenced to life imprisonment but released on parole in 1955.
• 東條英機・Toujou Hideki (1884-1948): Born in 千代田区 (Chiyoda-ku). Prime Minister from 1941-1944 and president of Imperial Rule Assistance Association. Complicit in Rape of Nanjing and attack on Pearl Harbor. Convicted of war crimes and executed in 1948.
• 木戸幸一・Kido Kouichi (1889-1977): Born in 港区 (Minato-ku). Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal from 1940-1945. Closest advisor to Emperor Shouwa during World War II. Advocated negotiating peace, but was nevertheless convicted of war crimes and sentenced to life imprisonment but released for health reasons in 1953. Shares my birthday of July 18 :DD
• 近衞文麿・Konoe Fumimaro (1891-1945): Born in 港区 (Minato-ku). Prime Minister from 1937-1939 and 1940-1941. Played a role in transforming Japan into a fascist state by shifting to a war economy and abolishing all rival political parties. Oversaw 1937 invasion of China and entry into war with the United States. Commit suicide in 1945 after coming under suspicion of war crimes.
• 草鹿龍之介・Kusaka Ryuunosuke (1892-1971): Born in 千代田区 (Chiyoda-ku). Admiral who commanded the Houshou and Akagi. Tactician involved in planning the attack on Pearl Harbor and Battle of Midway. Convinced fellow fleet members not to commit suicide after the surrender of Japan.
• 山口多聞・Yamaguchi Tamon (1892-1942): Born in 文京区 (Bunkyou-ku). Admiral. Commanded the Isuzu and Ise. Participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor and Battle of Midway. Chose to sink to his death along with the Hiryuu when she was scuttled by the USS Enterprise and USS Yorktown.
• 浅沼稲次郎・Asanuma Inejirou (1898-1960): Born on 三宅島 (Miyake-jima). Supported the Imperial Rule Assistance Association and war with Asian powers during World War II. Shifted alliances to support the People's Republic of China and critique Japan-US relations after the war. Assassinated by ultranationalist Yamaguchi Otoya during a televised debate.
• 小坂慶助・Kosaka Keisuke (1900-1972): Born in 千代田区 (Chiyoda-ku). Soldier. Helped with Okada Keisuke's escape during the February 26 Incident.
• 尾崎秀実・Ozaki Hotsumi (1901-1944): Born in 港区 (Minato-ku). Marxist journalist for Asahi Shinbun and advisor to Konoe Fumimaro. Informant of Soviet agent Richard Sorge. Convicted of treason and executed in 1944.
• 迫水久常・Sakomizu Hisatsune (1902-1977): Born in 千代田区 (Chiyoda-ku). Chief secretary to Suzuki Kantarou in 1945 during the final months of World War II. Worked in the Ministry of Finance. Became a member of the House of Representatives and joined the Liberal Democratic Party after the war.
• 志賀淑雄・Shiga Yoshio (1914-2005): Born in 千代田区 (Chiyoda-ku). Officer and fighter pilot in the Imperial Japanese Navy. Led the fighter divisions of the aircraft carrier Kaga during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Objected to the use of kamikaze tactics. Became president of police equipment manufacturer Nobel Kougyou after the war.
• 山口二矢・Yamaguchi Otoya (1943-1960): Born in 台東区 (Taitou-ku). Ultranationalist and former member of the Greater Japan Patriotic Party. Deathly afraid of the spread of communism in Japan. Famous for assassinating Asanuma Inejirou, chairman of the Japan Socialist Party, with a short sword during a televised debate. Commit suicide in a detention facility after being arrested.
• 14. 神奈川県・KANAGAWA
• Notable Residents:
• 来栖三郎・Kurusu Saburou (1885-1954): Born in 横浜市 (Yokohama-shi). Ambassador to Germany from 1939-1941. Signed the Tripartite Pact of military alliance between the axis powers. Attempted to negotiate peace with the United States while the plans for the attack on Pearl Harbor were finalized in Japan. Found innocent after the war.
• 星野直樹・Hoshino Naoki (1892-1978): Born in 横浜市 (Yokohama-shi). Ministry of Finance bureaucrat involved in the economic development of Manchuria during World War II. Managed and sold opium to finance the government and war efforts and hamper Chinese morale. Convicted of war crimes and sentenced to life imprisonment, but released in 1958.
• 和智恒蔵・Wachi Tsunezou (1900-1990): Born in 横須賀市 (Yokosuka-shi). Soldier. Served as a chief of Japan's largest espionage ring. Operated in Mexico City in the months leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor, incercepting US fleet communications. Amassed mercury in Mexico for raw materials.
• 中部・CHUUBU
• 15. 新潟県・NIIGATA
• Notable Residents:
• 岩佐禄郎・Iwasa Rokurou (1879-1938): Born in 上越市 (Jouetsu-shi). Soldier. Helped with Okada Keisuke's escape during the February 26 Incident.
• 及川古志郎・Oikawa Koshirou (1883-1958): Born in 長岡市 (Nagaoka-shi). Raised in Morioka-shi in Iwate. Minister of the Navy from 1940-1941. Attempted to prevent war with the United States and opposed war with the Soviet Union.
• 北一輝・Kita Ikki (1883-1937): Born in 佐渡市 (Sado-shi). Eclectic thinker and strong ideological influence on Japanese fascism. Socialist, pan-Asianist, and Nichiren Buddhist political philosopher. Advocated military rebellion and territorial expansion, but with ideals based on egalitarianism and universal human rights. Executed in 1937 after the February 26 Incident.
• 山本五十六・Yamamoto Isoroku (1884-1943): Born in 長岡市 (Nagaoka-shi). Marshal admiral and commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet of the navy during World War II. Oversaw the attack on Pearl Harbor and Battle of Midway. Shot down and killed by the US air force in 1943 after Japanese code was deciphered and his itinerary was exposed.
• 本間雅晴・Honma Masaharu (1887-1946): Born in 佐渡市 (Sado-shi). Lieutenant general. Commanded the Japanese 14th Army during the invasion of the Philippines which was responsible for the Bataan Death March. Charged with war crimes, extradited to Manila for trial, and executed by firing squad.
• 16. 富山県・TOYAMA
• 17. 石川県・ISHIKAWA
• Notable Residents:
• 阿部信行・Abe Nobuyuki (1875-1953): Born in 金沢市 (Kanazawa-shi). Prime Minister from 1939-1940. Final governor-general of Korea. Attempted to maintain neutrality in Europe and opposed allyship with Germany and Italy. Military envoy to Wang Jingwei in Nanjing. Arrested and removed from public office after World War II, but never charged with war crimes.
• 林銑十郎・Hayashi Senjuurou (1876-1943): Born in 金沢市 (Kanazawa-shi). Prime Minister in 1937. Commanded the Japanese Korean Army during the Mukden Incident and invasion of Manchuria.
• 佐藤賢了・Satou Kenryou (1895-1975): Born in 金沢市 (Kanazawa-shi). Advisor to Toujou Hideki. Assigned to a post in Singapore after falling out of favor. Convicted of war crimes and sentenced to life imprisonment, but paroled in 1956.
• 辻政信・Tsuji Masanobu (1902-1961): Born in 加賀市 (Kaga-shi). World War II colonel. Pan-Asianist. Responsible for aggressive invasions and purges in the Philippines and Malaysia. Led Japanese forces in the Gaudalcanal Campaign. Evaded prosecution for war crimes by hiding in Thailand. Returned to Japan in 1949 and worked for US intelligence. Disappeared in 1961 on a trip to Laos.
• 安藤輝三・Andou Teruzou (1905-1936): Born in 金沢市 (Kanazawa-shi). Soldier. Participant in the February 26 Incident. Sentenced to death.
• 高橋太郎・Takahashi Tarou (1913-1936): Born in 金沢市 (Kanazawa-shi). Soldier. Participant in the February 26 Incident. Attacked Saitou Makoto and Watanabe Joutarou. Sentenced to death.
• 18. 福井県・FUKUI
• Notable Residents:
• 岡田啓介・Okada Keisuke (1868-1952): Born in 福井市 (Fukui-shi). Prime Minster from 1934-1936. Targeted during the February 26 Incident, but narrowly escaped by pretending to be dead. Resigned to a senior statesman role after escape and pushed for peace with allied forces throughout World War II.
• 松尾伝蔵・Matsuo Denzou (1872-1936): Born in 福井市 (Fukui-shi). Secretary to Okada Keisuke and husband of his younger sister. Assassinated in the February 26 Incident.
• 福田耕・Fukuda Tagayasu (1888-1970): Born in 鯖江市 (Sabae-shi). Bureaucrat. Helped Okada Keisuke escape assassination during the February 26 Incident.
• 19. 山梨県・YAMANASHI
• 20. 長野県・NAGANO
• Notable Residents:
• 原嘉道・Hara Yoshimichi (1867-1944): Born in 須坂市 (Suzaka-shi). President of the privy council during World War II. Conveyed opinions of Emperor Shouwa during imperial conferences. Supported attack on Pearl Harbor despite generally being hesitant about the use of military force.
• 永田鉄山・Nagata Tetsuzan (1884-1935): Born in 諏訪市 (Suwa-shi). Lieutenant general. Most influential figure of the moderate Control Faction (tousei-ha) of the army. Assassinated by rival Imperial Way Faction (koudou-ha) devotee Aizawa Saburou.
• 今井武夫・Imai Takeo (1898-1982): Born in 長野市 (Nagano-shi). General of the China Expeditionary Army and later participant in the invasion of the Philippines. Consistent moral force who opposed orders to commit war crimes or honor those who did. Most famously, he defied Tsuji Masanobu's orders to shoot prisoners of war who had surrendered during the Bataan Death March.
• 21. 岐阜県・GIFU
• Notable Residents:
• 大島浩・Ooshima Hiroshi (1886-1975): Born in 恵那市 (Ena-shi). General and Japanese ambassador to Germany before and during World War II. Unintentionally a great source of intelligence on Germany for allied powers due to the US Magic project intercepting and decoding his reports. Convicted of war crimes and sentenced to life imprisonment, but paroled in 1955.
• 亀山一ニ・Kameyama Kazuji (1895-1980): Born in 関市 (Seki-shi). Councillor at the Japanese Embassy in the Soviet Union during World War II. Returned to his hometown as it was newly incorporated into its modern name and served as its first mayor.
• 22. 静岡県・SHIZUOKA
• 23. 愛知県・AICHI
• Notable Residents:
• 渡辺錠太郎・Watanabe Joutarou (1874-1936): Born in 小牧市 (Komaki-shi). General. Moderate Control Faction (tousei-ha) supporter. Supported civilian controls over the military. Assassinated during the February 26 Incident.
• 松井石根・Matsui Iwane (1878-1948): Born in 名古屋市 (Nagoya-shi). General who led Japanese forces during the Battle of Shanghai and Rape of Nanjing. Pan-Asianist. Retired from the army the next year in 1938. Convicted of war crimes and executed in 1948.
• 関西・KANSAI
• 24. 三重県・MIE
• 25. 滋賀県・SHIGA
• Notable Residents:
• 喜多誠一・Kita Seiichi (1886-1947): Born in 大津市 (Ootsu-shi). World War II lieutenant general. Early leader of Japan's puppet state in Manchuria. Commanded First Area Army in the area engaged in field combat against the Soviet Union from 1944-1945. Became a prisoner of war and seems to have died in a Soviet prison camp.
• 26. 京都府・KYOUTO
• Notable Residents:
• 西園寺公望・Saionji Kinmochi (1849-1940): Born in 京都市 (Kyouto-shi). The final surviving genrou (royal advisor to emperor) before the abolishment of the system. Prime Minister from 1911-1912. Generally liberal figure who promoted friendly relations with the allied powers in the interwar period. Hated by militarists and survived assassination attempt during the February 26 Incident.
• 閑院宮載仁親王・Prince Kan'in Kotohito (1865-1945): Born in 京都市 (Kyouto-shi). Prince of the imperial family. Field Marshal and Chief of Army General Staff from 1931-1940, overseeing the Rape of Nanjing and use of chemical and bacterial weapons in China. Died before the final surrender of Japan to the allied powers.
• 東久邇宮稔彦王・Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni (1887-1990): Born in 京都市 (Kyouto-shi). Prince of the imperial family. General who opposed the more radical memebers of the Toujou Hideki cabinet. Supported use of poison gas and human experiments in Manchuria. Prime Minister for eight weeks before resigning immediately after occupation from the American authorities.
• 牛場友彦・Ushiba Tomohiko (1901-1993): Born in 京都市 (Kyouto-shi). Member of Konoe Fumimaro's cabinet. Founder of the Choushokukai (Breakfast Club) for discussions on political research and strategy over breakfast.
• 27. 大阪府・OOSAKA
• Notable Residents:
• 鈴木貫太郎・Suzuki Kantarou (1868-1948): Born in 堺市 (Sakai-shi). Raised in Noda-shi in Chiba. Prime Minister in the final months of World War II in 1945. Final leader of the wartime Imperial Rule Assistance Association. Consistently opposed to war with the United States. Survived a shooting during the February 26 Incident.
• 近藤信竹・Kondou Nobutake (1886-1953): Born in 大阪市 (Oosaka-shi). Admiral. Commanded the Imperial Japanese Navy 2nd Fleet. Commanded the Kako and Kongou. Participated in the invasions of British Malaya, the Philippines, and the Dutch East Indies as well as in the Battle of Ceylon, Battle of Midway, and Guadalcanal Campaign.
• 岡敬純・Oka Takazumi (1890-1973): Born in 大阪市 (Oosaka-shi). Lieutenant general. Chief of the Naval Affairs Bureau from 1940-1944.
• 松本重治・Matsumoto Shigeharu (1899-1989): Born in 大阪市 (Oosaka-shi). Founder of the International House of Japan organization dedicated to international diplomacy. Earlier on, a journalist who reported on the Xi'an Incident where Jiang Jieshi was captured by the Chinese Communist Party in order to negotiate a truce to resist Japanese invasion.
• 28. 兵庫県・HYOUGO
• Notable Residents:
• 大西瀧治郎・Oonishi Takijirou (1891-1945): Born in 丹波市 (Tanba-shi). Vice Admiral. Though originally opposed to it, he later became the chief proponent of the method of kamikaze attacks in warfare. Refused to accept defeat and commited seppuku after the surrender of Japan.
• 29. 奈良県・NARA
• Notable Residents:
• 淵田美津雄・Fuchida Mitsuo (1902-1976): Born in 葛城市 (Katsuragi-shi). Captain who worked under Nagumo Chuuichi and released the bombs on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Served a number of other positions throughout the war. Considered the Americans to be an enemy that his moral code could never allow him to forgive until he converted to Christianity after the war and lived in the United States as an evangelist.
• 30. 和歌山県・WAKAYAMA
• Notable Residents:
• 野村吉三郎・Nomura Kichisaburou (1877-1964): Born in 和歌山市 (Wakayama-shi). Ambassador to the United States at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Attempted to prevent war from breaking out. Appointed to Privy Council after the war and played a role in establishing peaceful Japan-US relations.
• 豊田貞次郎・Toyota Teijirou (1885-1961): Born in 和歌山市 (Wakayama-shi). Admiral. Opposed the Tripartite Pact between Japan and the axis powers and expansion into French Indochina. Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1941. Unsuccessfully attempted to maintain peaceful relations with the United States in the months leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
• 林義秀・Hayashi Yoshihide (1891-1978): Born in 和歌山市 (Wakayama-shi). Commanded the Taiwan Army Research Department to research warfare possibilities in Southeast Asia. Held in New Bilibid Prison in the Philippines after the surrender of Japan and pleaded guilty at the Philippine War Crimes Trial. Sentenced to life in prison but pardoned by president Elpidio Quirino in 1953.
• 中国・CHUUGOKU
• 31. 鳥取県・TOTTORI
• Notable Residents:
• 福留繁・Fukudome Shigeru (1891-1971): Born in 米子市 (Yonago-shi). Vice Admiral who played a vital role in the Philippines campaign.
• 井川忠雄・Ikawa Tadao (1893-1947): Born in 鳥取市 (Tottori-shi). Bureaucrat involved in negotiations leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
• 32. 島根県・SHIMANE
• Notable Residents:
• 若槻禮次郎・Wakatsuki Reijirou (1866-1949): Born in 松江市 (Matsue-shi). Prime Minister from 1926-1927 and in 1931. Joined the Constitutional Democratic Party in the interwar period and consistently opposed war with China and the west. Participated in the Potsdam Declaration encouraging unconditional surrender.
• 栗原安秀・Kurihara Yasuhide (1908-1936): Born in 松江市 (Matsue-shi). Soldier. Participated in the February 26 Incident under the leadership of Isobe Asaichi. Sentenced to death.
• 33. 岡山県・OKAYAMA
• Notable Residents:
• 犬養毅・Inukai Tsuyoshi (1855-1932): Born in 岡山市 (Okayama-shi). Prime Minister from 1931-1932. Attempted to take Japan off the gold standard. Came under criticism from both right-wing and left-wing members of his cabinet for being indecisive and ineffective. Targeted but not killed during the League of Blood Incident. Assassinated during the May 15 Incident.
• 平沼騏一郎・Hiranuma Kiichirou (1867-1952): Born in 津山市 (Tsuyama-shi). Prime Minister in 1939. Part of Konoe Fumimaro's cabinet. President of the Privy Council from 1936-1939 and 1945. Opposed foreign influences and threats to Japan's "kokutai." Passed the Peace Preservation Law to suppress socialists and communists. Sentenced to life imprisonment, but paroled in 1952.
• 宇垣一成・Ugaki Kazushige (1868-1956): Born in 岡山市 (Okayama-shi). General and cabinet minister who was Japanese Governor-General of Korea in the interwar period and Minister of Foreign Affairs during World War II. Retired from politics in 1944 and became president of Takushoku University. Arrested immediately after American occupation, but quickly exonerated of any war crimes and released.
• 土肥原賢二・Doihara Kenji (1883-1948): Born in 岡山市 (Okayama-shi). General nicknamed "Lawrence of Manchuria" who helped orchestrate the Mukden Incident and led campaigns in the invasion of China. Weakened resistance in Manchuria with a wide range of criminal activities and extortion, most notably the mass production and sale of opium. Convicted of war crimes and executed in 1948.
• 橋本欣五郎・Hashimoto Kingorou (1890-1957): Born in 岡山市 (Okayama-shi). Co-founder of the right-wing secret society Sakurakai (Cherry Blossom Society) and member of other groups. Unsuccessfully attempted to orchestrate a coup twice.
• 奥村勝蔵・Okumura Katsuzou (1903-1975): Born in 岡山市 (Okayama-shi). Diplomat. First Secretary at Japanese Embassy in Washington, D.C. when war broke out between Japan and the US. Blamed for poor handling of communications between the countries. Served as interpreter between Douglas MacArthur and Emperor Shouwa after Japan's surrender.
• 34. 広島県・HIROSHIMA
• Notable Residents:
• 石黒英彦・Ishiguro Hidehiko (1884-1945): Born in 広島市 (Hiroshima-shi). Ministry of Education bureaucrat and Government-General of Korea and Taiwan.
• 橋本群・Hashimoto Gun (1886-1963): Born in 広島市 (Hiroshima-shi). Chief of Staff of the China Garrison Army during the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. Negotiated a ceasefire with Zhang Zhizhong. Disgraced after defeat in the Nomonhan Incident in the Battles of Khalkhin Gol. Barred from holding public office after the war.
• 黒島亀人・Kuroshima Kameto (1893-1965): Born in 呉市 (Kure-shi). Admiral. Worked in devising the attack on Pearl Harbor and later the attack on Midway. Eccentric, atypical figure who thought of unusual strategies.
• 岩畔豪雄・Iwakuro Hideo (1897-1970): Born in 呉市 (Kure-shi). Major General who participated in the Siberian Intervention of allied anti-communist powers to fight against the emerging Soviet Forces in Russia during 1918-1922. Spymaster in the interwar period. Military attaché to the United States in 1941 during negotiations prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
• 富岡定俊・Tomioka Sadatoshi (1897-1970): Born in 江田島市 (Etajima-shi). Grew up in Nagano Prefecture. Admiral. Opposed the attack on Pearl Harbor early on. Opposed Yamamoto Isoroku's Midway operation in favor of occupying Fiji and Samoa. Commanded the Matsu, Sugi, and Ooyodo. Present during the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender.
• 源田実・Genda Minoru (1904-1969): Born in 安芸太田町 (Akioota-chou). Captain. Tactician and central coordinator behind the attack on Pearl Harbor. Became a member of the Liberal Democratic Party after the war.
• 35. 山口県・YAMAGUCHI
• Notable Residents:
• 伊藤博文・Itou Hirobumi (1841-1909): Born in 光市 (Hikari-shi). First Prime Minister of Japan and leader of the genrou. Created the bureau that drafted the constitution of the Empire of Japan. Opposed the formation of political parties in favor of a monarchical bureaucracy. Strengthened diplomatic ties with western imperial powers and oversaw the First Sino-Japanese War.
• 湯浅倉平・Yuasa Kurahei (1874-1940): Born in 下関市 (Shimonoseki-shi). Politician and bureaucrat who served several positions throughout his life. Helped keep peace and order in the immediate aftermath of the February 26 Incident. Succeeded Saitou Makoto as Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal after the latter's assassination and held position from 1936-1940.
• 松岡洋右・Matsuoka Yousuke (1880-1946); Born in 光市 (Hikari-shi). Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1940-1941. Withdrew Japan from the League of Nations. Helped create the Tripartite Pact and Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact, allying Japan with the axis powers and achieving peace with the Soviet Union. Died of natural causes in prison before he could be tried for war crimes.
• 井本熊男・Imoto Kumao (1903-2000): Born in 山口市 (Yamaguchi-shi). Lieutenant general. Investigated Southeast Asia for invasion plans in early stages of the war. Delivered evacuation orders during Operation Ke in the Guadalcanal Campaign. Staff officer in Hiroshima during the dropping of the atomic bomb.
• 磯部浅一・Isobe Asaichi (1905-1937): Born in 長門市 (Nagato-shi). Lieutenant. Suspended and eventually discharged for insubordination and being involved in plans for a coup. Leader in the February 26 Incident. Sentenced to death.
• 朝枝繁春・Asaeda Shigeharu (1912-2000): Born in 山口市 (Yamaguchi-shi). Assistant of Tsuji Masanobu who had similar dreams of creating a pan-Asianist empire led by Japan. Led intelligence-gathering operations in Southeast Asia under the false identity of an agricultural engineer. Determined Thailand to be the best point of invasion.
• 四国・SHIKOKU
• 36. 徳島県・TOKUSHIMA
• Notable Residents:
• 高橋赫一・Takahashi Kakuichi (1906-1942): Born in 三好市 (Miyoshi-shi). World War II dive bomber pilot. Carried out strikes during the Battle of the Coral Sea where the Imperial Japanese Navy sunk the USS Lexington, USS Neosho, and USS Sims as well as damaged the USS Yorktown. Was shot down and killed during the final stages of the battle.
• 37. 香川県・KAGAWA
• 38. 愛媛県・EHIME
• Notable Residents:
• 川島義之・Kawashima Yoshiyuki (1878-1945): Born in 松山市 (Matsuyama-shi). General. Military attaché to Germany from 1910-1913. Forced into retirement after the February 26 Incident due to his friendship and involvement with Araki Sadao and other radicals. Died shortly after World War II.
• 吉川猛夫・Yoshikawa Takeo (1912-1993): Born in 松山市 (Matsuyama-shi). Ensign. Spent several months in Hawaii as a spy to gather intelligence prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Went into hiding as a Buddhist monk after the war out of fear of being convicted of war crimes and lived without recognition for the rest of his life.
• 39. 高知県・KOUCHI
• Notable Residents:
• 永野修身・Nagano Osami (1880-1947): Born in 高知市 (Kouchi-shi). Marshal Admiral of the navy during World War II and later government advisor. Strong supporter of expansion into Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Charged with war crimes, but died of a heart attack in prison before the end of the trial.
• 山下奉文・Yamashita Tomoyuki (1885-1946): Born in 大豊町 (Ootoyo-chou). General. "The Tiger of Malaya." Led Japanese forces during the invasion of British Malaya and Battle of Singapore. Convicted of war crimes for role in events like Sook Ching and the Rape of Manila and executed. The "Yamashita standard" in law holds a commander responsible for war crimes of subordinates as long as he did not actively attempt to stop them.
• 九州・KYUUSHUU
• 40. 福岡県・FUKUOKA
• Notable Residents:
• 團琢磨・Dan Takuma (1858-1932): Born in 福岡市 (Fukuoka-shi). Director-general of Mitsui. Graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Cultivated close economic ties between Japan and western powers. Representative during efforts to establish peace between Japan and Russia after the Russo-Japanese War. Assassinated by right-wing radicals as part of the League of Blood Incident.
• 広田弘毅・Hirota Kouki (1878-1948): Born in 福岡市 (Fukuoka-shi). Prime Minister from 1936-1937. Oversaw the Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany and Italy as a predecessor to the Tripartite Pact. Deeply opposed to communism and supported military engagement in China. Convicted of war crimes and executed in 1948.
• 杉山元・Sugiyama Hajime (1880-1945): Born in 北九州市 (Kitakyuushuu-shi). Gensui who directed army operations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Leading figure in the Control Faction (tousei-ha) who gained a great amount of control after the February 26 Incident and purge of Imperial Way Faction (koudou-ha) members from the army. Committed suicide in 1945 ten days after the surrender of Japan.
• 伊藤整一・Itou Seiichi (1890-1945): Born in みやま市 (Miyama-shi). Admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy. Led a task force in Operation Ten-Gou, the final Japanese campaign in the south pacific centered around the battleship Yamato. He chose to sink with the ship after it was hit by the Americans.
• 41. 佐賀県・SAGA
• Notable Residents:
• 真崎甚三郎・Masaki Jinzaburou (1876-1956): Born in 佐賀市 (Saga-shi). Figurehead of the radical Imperial Way Faction (koudou-ha) in the Japanese army. Forced into retirement by rival moderate Control Faction (tousei-ha) leader Nagata Tetsuzan and turned into a martyr for the Imperial Way Faction. Arrested by both Japanese authorities (pre-war) and American authorities (post-war), but ultimately found innocent and released by both.
• 香田清貞・Kouda Kiyosada (1903-1936): Born in 小城市 (Ogi-shi). Soldier. Participated in the February 26 Incident. Sentenced to death.
• 42. 長崎県・NAGASAKI
• Notable Residents:
• 村田重治・Murata Shigeharu (1909-1942): Born in 島原市 (Shimabara-shi). World War II pilot. Commanded several torpedo bombers during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Commanded a fleet that sunk the USS Hornet during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. Died during the attack on the Hornet as his plane went down in flames after being struck by anti-aircraft artillery.
• 43. 熊本県・KUMAMOTO
• Notable Residents:
• 若杉要・Wakasugi Kaname (1883-1943): Born in 熊本市 (Kumamoto-shi). Envoy in America. Engaged in intelligence-gathering about anti-Japanese sentiments in the American Communist Party and Chinese-American populations.
• 武藤章・Mutou Akira (1892-1948): Born in 南阿蘇村 (Minamiaso-mura). General who led troops during the Rape of Nanjing and Manila Massacre. Convicted of war crimes and executed in 1948.
• 44. 大分県・OOITA
• Notable Residents:
• 井上準之助・Inoue Junnosuke (1869-1932): Born in 日田市 (Hita-shi). Minister of Finance from 1923-1924 and 1929-1931 and 9th and 11th governor of the Bank of Japan. Assassinated by right-wing radicals incensed over economic policy during the League of Blood Incident.
• 後藤文夫・Gotou Fumio (1884-1980): Born in 大分市 (Ooita-shi). Prime Minister for a few days in 1936 while Okada Keisuke remained in hiding after the February 26 Incident. Charmain of Imperial Rule Assistance Association from 1941-1943 and Minister of State under Toujou Hideki's cabinet. Arrested by American authorities after the war but never brought to trial.
• 45. 宮崎県・MIYAZAKI
• 46. 鹿児島県・KAGOSHIMA
• Notable Residents:
• 牧野伸顕・Makino Nobuaki (1861-1949): Born in 鹿児島市 (Kagoshima-shi). Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal from 1925-1935. Retired in 1935 but continued to advise Emperor Shouwa throughout World War II. Attempted to avoid wars with China and the United States and to promote the idea of constitutional monarchy in Japan.
• 東郷成徳・Tougou Shigenori (1882-1950): Born in 日置市 (Hioki-shi). Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1941-1942. Married a German woman. Ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1938-1940 and negotiated peace after the Battles of Khalkhin Gol. Opposed war with the United States and advocated surrender near the war's end. Sentenced to 20 years in prison.
• 47. 沖縄県・OKINAWA
• Notable Residents:
• 宮城与徳・Miyagi Yotoku (1903-1943): Born in 名護市 (Nago-shi). Artist. Briefly lived in Los Angeles and joined the US Communist Party. Became a spy for Japan-based Soviet intelligence officer Richard Sorge and translated articles for him. Arrested as a member of Sorge's spy ring in 1941 and died in prison before his trial was concluded.