Japanese Prime Minister. A scion of the ancient Fujiwara noble family and protege of Kimmichi Saionji, he was president of the House of Peers from 1933 to 1937. In June 1937, he accepted the premiership. A former liberal, Konoe began to favor increased armament and centralized government control. Following the outbreak of war with China in July 1937, he pressed Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek to establish autonomous demilitarized regions in Northern China and to recognize the puppet state of Manchukuo. The National Mobilization Law was passed in March 1938, and in November, Konoe proclaimed Japan's aim of a "new order in East Asia". He resigned in January 1939, and became President of the Privy Council and minister without portfolio. Recalled to the premiership in July 1940, Konoe concluded an alliance with the Axis and in October of that same year, founded the Imperial Rule Assistance Association to replace the political parties. Having failed to reach an agreement with the United States, he resigned in October 1941, to be followed by Hideki Tojo. In July 1945, Konoe was chosen as a peace envoy to Moscow and later became vice premier in the first postwar cabinet and head of the constitutional drafting committee. He was listed for trial as a war criminal but committed suicide in December of 1945.
Japanese Prime Minister. A scion of the ancient Fujiwara noble family and protege of Kimmichi Saionji, he was president of the House of Peers from 1933 to 1937. In June 1937, he accepted the premiership. A former liberal, Konoe began to favor increased armament and centralized government control. Following the outbreak of war with China in July 1937, he pressed Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek to establish autonomous demilitarized regions in Northern China and to recognize the puppet state of Manchukuo. The National Mobilization Law was passed in March 1938, and in November, Konoe proclaimed Japan's aim of a "new order in East Asia". He resigned in January 1939, and became President of the Privy Council and minister without portfolio. Recalled to the premiership in July 1940, Konoe concluded an alliance with the Axis and in October of that same year, founded the Imperial Rule Assistance Association to replace the political parties. Having failed to reach an agreement with the United States, he resigned in October 1941, to be followed by Hideki Tojo. In July 1945, Konoe was chosen as a peace envoy to Moscow and later became vice premier in the first postwar cabinet and head of the constitutional drafting committee. He was listed for trial as a war criminal but committed suicide in December of 1945.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
Family Members
Parents
Siblings
Children
Advertisement
See more Konoe memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
