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Hideki Tojo
Prime Minister of Japan (1941-1944)
War Criminal Executed for Crimes Against Humanity in WWII
Overview
General Hideki Tojo served as Prime Minister of Japan during most of World War II and was the driving force behind Japan's aggressive military expansion. He authorized the attack on Pearl Harbor, oversaw the brutal treatment of prisoners of war, and was responsible for the deaths of millions of civilians across Asia. Convicted of war crimes by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (Tokyo Tribunal), he was executed by hanging.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Authorized the attack on Pearl Harbor bringing the United States into World War II
Oversaw Japanese military campaigns that killed millions of civilians across China, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific
Responsible for the Bataan Death March (1942) where 10,000-18,000 Filipino and American POWs died
Commanded forces during the Nanjing occupation aftermath and continuing atrocities in China
Authorized use of forced labor including "comfort women" - approximately 200,000 women forced into sexual slavery
Oversaw POW camps where death rates reached 27% compared to 4% in German/Italian camps
Unit 731 biological warfare experiments on live prisoners continued under his premiership
Attempted suicide to avoid capture in 1945; failed and was tried at Tokyo Tribunal
Related Investigations (1)
Criminal Charges & Violations
4 documented violations
IMTFE - Class A War CriminalWaging wars of aggression and conspiracy to wage aggressive war against peace(Crimes Against Peace)
IMTFE - Crimes Against HumanityOrdering, authorizing, and permitting inhumane treatment of prisoners of war and civilian internees(Crimes Against Humanity)
IMTFE - War Crimes (Conventional)Ordering and permitting atrocities against POWs including Bataan Death March(War Crimes)
Geneva Convention ViolationsSystematic mistreatment of POWs with 27% death rate in Japanese camps(War Crimes)
Sources & Documentation
1 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- 1884-12-30
- Birthplace
- Tokyo, Japan
- Also Known As
- Razor Tojo (Kamisori Tojo)
Education
- •Imperial Japanese Army Academy
- •Army War College
Key Timeline
1884-12-30
Born in Tokyo, Japan
1940-07
Becomes Minister of War under PM Konoe
1941-10-18
Becomes Prime Minister of Japan
1941-12-07
Authorizes attack on Pearl Harbor
1942-04
Bataan Death March kills 10,000-18,000 POWs
1944-07
Forced to resign as Prime Minister after fall of Saipan
1945-09-11
Attempts suicide by shooting himself; survives
1946-1948
Tried at International Military Tribunal for the Far East
1948-11-12
Found guilty of Class A war crimes
1948-12-23
Executed by hanging at Sugamo Prison, Tokyo