Japanese Prime Minister. He trained at the Genyosha, a nationalist political society, and graduated from the law school of Tokyo University. A career diplomat, Hirota served as Ambassador to Russia from 1930 to 1932 and as Foreign Minister from 1933 to 1936. He became Prime Minister in March of 1936, and followed army dictates. His regime saw increased military spending, government interference in the economy, growth of aggression in China, and the signing of the Anti-Comintern Pact. Hirota resigned under army pressure in February of 1937. Later he was Foreign Minister and President of the Cabinet Planning Board under Fumimaro Konoe. In 1945 Hirota negotiated to keep the Soviet Union from declaring war on Japan. After World War II he was arrested as a war criminal, and in 1948 he was convicted and hanged. His body was cremated by US occupation forces, and the ashes mostly scattered either in Tokyo Bay or the Pacific Ocean. Part of the remains were buried at Atami Shrine.
Japanese Prime Minister. He trained at the Genyosha, a nationalist political society, and graduated from the law school of Tokyo University. A career diplomat, Hirota served as Ambassador to Russia from 1930 to 1932 and as Foreign Minister from 1933 to 1936. He became Prime Minister in March of 1936, and followed army dictates. His regime saw increased military spending, government interference in the economy, growth of aggression in China, and the signing of the Anti-Comintern Pact. Hirota resigned under army pressure in February of 1937. Later he was Foreign Minister and President of the Cabinet Planning Board under Fumimaro Konoe. In 1945 Hirota negotiated to keep the Soviet Union from declaring war on Japan. After World War II he was arrested as a war criminal, and in 1948 he was convicted and hanged. His body was cremated by US occupation forces, and the ashes mostly scattered either in Tokyo Bay or the Pacific Ocean. Part of the remains were buried at Atami Shrine.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
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