Fumimaro Konoe Prince, Japanese statesman. Date of Birth: 12.10.1891 Country: Japan

1. Biography of Fumimaro Konoe
2. Premiership and Aggression
3. Second Term and Alliances
4. Later Years and Suicide

Biography of Fumimaro Konoe

Fumimaro Konoe (October 12, 1891, Kyoto - December 16, 1945, Tokyo) was a prince and Japanese statesman. He graduated from the Faculty of Law at Kyoto University in 1917 and was elected as a parliament member while still a student. His mentor was the last genro, one of the leading figures in the Meiji Restoration, Saionji Kimimoto, a leader of the Japanese Atlanticists. In 1919, he participated in the Paris Peace Conference as part of the Japanese delegation. From 1933 to 1937, Konoe served as the President of the House of Peers and was a member of the Privy Council, one of the closest advisors to Emperor Hirohito. He wielded significant influence in the ruling circles of Japan.

Premiership and Aggression

From June 4, 1937, to January 4, 1939, Konoe served as the Prime Minister of Japan. His government sanctioned the start of military operations to establish control over the entire territory of China in July 1937, which led to the Sino-Japanese War that lasted until 1945. In August 1938, Japanese army units launched an attack on Soviet forces in the area of Lake Khasan and the Khalkhin Gol River. In 1938, Konoe proclaimed the "New Order" policy to create Greater East Asia, effectively escalating Japan's aggression in the region. However, his stance, which emphasized caution in open aggression, did not satisfy the top leadership of the army and navy, leading to his resignation. After stepping down, he became the head of the Privy Council.

Second Term and Alliances

On September 24, 1940, Konoe resigned as the Chairman of the Privy Council and started forming a new political structure. On July 7, he effectively created a new unified political party in Japan. On July 17, 1940, he was appointed as Prime Minister for the second time. His main goals in foreign policy were to combat Chiang Kai-shek in China and ensure Japanese hegemony in the South Seas region. In domestic policy, he aimed to strengthen the country's defense capability. On September 27, 1940, his government signed the "Tripartite Pact" with Germany and Italy, creating a new military bloc of aggressor states. On April 13, 1941, his government signed a neutrality pact with the Soviet Union.

Later Years and Suicide

Konoe's cabinet resigned on July 16, 1940, but on July 18, he was tasked with forming a new government. On October 16, 1941, under pressure from the "war party," Konoe's government resigned, and Hideki Tojo became the Prime Minister. During the war, Konoe was effectively sidelined, lacking both power and information. He played an active role in replacing Tojo with General Kuniaki Koiso. After the resignation of Tojo's cabinet in July 1944, Konoe began laying the groundwork for peace, privately stating that Japan's defeat was inevitable. In 1945, Konoe was appointed as the head of a delegation sent to the Soviet Union to negotiate a compromise for Japan's withdrawal from the war, but he was not received by V.M. Molotov. In August 1945, he joined the Higashikuni cabinet as a Minister without Portfolio. After Japan's surrender and the formation of a new cabinet, Konoe became the Vice Prime Minister and attempted to cooperate with General Douglas MacArthur. However, after receiving threats from the United States to bring him to trial before an international tribunal, he committed suicide by poisoning himself a few hours before the deadline to report to Sugamo Prison.