Hirohito and the Japanese Military Leaders
In the lead-up to World War II, Japan’s expansionism in Asia had led to its alienation with the League of Nations as well as leading to its alliance with Germany against the invasion of Russia with the Anti-Comintern Pact in 1936. As World War II progressed, Japan aligned itself with the Axis of Germany, Italy and Japan. Emperor Hirohito, advised by his Prime Ministers Hideki Tojo and Fumimaro Konoe, and Generals, joined the Tripartite pact forming the Axis Powers in 1940, pledging support for anticommunism. The Tripartite Pact was very militaristic and nationalistic in its plan to allow Japan to strengthen its domination of Asia. Emperor Hirohito came to power in 1926 during a time of financial difficulties in Japan. The Emperor was a semi-divine being in Japan and the people of Japan devoted their lives to following him, while the government was a constitutional monarchy. During this time, the military became more powerful. In 1931 Japan invaded Manchuria, China and then invaded the rest of China in 1937. Emboldened by success in China and fearing Russian invasion, the Japanese chose to side with the Axis powers, and in December, 1941, Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the Phillippines, and Malaysia. Many of the Japanese Generals did not want to invade or engage the Western Powers, but General Tojo, in his devotion to the Imperialist institution, convinced the Emperor to attack. Initially, the Japanese had success in the Pacific theater, until 1942. The tide began to turn with the United States’ success at the Battle of Midway and the landing of ground troops in Guadalcanal. As the pacific war progressed and The United States gained victory after victory, the Japanese became increasingly aggressive. Mitsumasa Yonai was prime Minister of the Navy during 1945 when the Kamikaze planes were flown. Hirohito's impact on the war was largely due to his impact on his own people. Due to his divine stature in Japan his people were obliged to act on his command. Such power led to Japanese soldiers committing themselves fully for their leader. Additionally the attack on Pearl Harbor which was summoned by Hirohito forced the full involvement of the United States into WWII.