The Fall of Japan by William Craig

Author:William Craig
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781504021333
Publisher: Open Road Media

THIRTEEN

The Rebellion

Early on the evening of the fourteenth, Major Kenji Hatanaka’s search for supporters brought success. Jiro Shiizaki, a colleague at the Ministry, had always supported him. Another who finally agreed to participate was Major Hidemasa Koga, the son-in-law and next-door neighbor of the deposed Premier Hideki Tojo. Father of an eleven-month-old boy, he now served in the Imperial Guards Division, which protected the Emperor.

For the past two months, Koga had worked long days constructing a new air-raid shelter for the Imperial family. When it was finished the young major stood at a personal crossroads. Because of the pending coup, he was torn between his friendships with other officers and concern about his own family.

On the afternoon of the thirteenth, the handsome cavalry officer had gone to Tojo’s home to see his family. Mrs. Tojo saw him ride up on a motorcycle and run to the door. He burst in and went to the general’s study at the left of the entrance hall. Since General Tojo was occupied with a guest, Koga went on into the back of the house where his wife and child waited.

He scooped the baby up in his arms and asked his wife to follow him into the family air-raid shelter. There he spoke urgently: “I want you to go to Kyushu with the baby. You’ll be safer there with my family.” His wife listened quietly as he added forcefully, “I want you to go as soon as possible.” He held the baby close, then put him down. Moving to his wife, he asked, “Do you have my hair and nail clippings?” She was startled because, in Japan, these things are left to relatives by the dead. When she nodded he continued: “There are times when one must do one’s duty. I can’t avoid the troubles ahead.” He embraced her and quickly broke away. On the way to the front door, Mrs. Tojo appeared with a box of sweets. Thanking her, he looked into Tojo’s study once more. Seeing the general still engaged, Koga merely waved and hurried out the door. He had been home only ten minutes.

When General Tojo came out of his study, he knew from the stricken faces of his wife and daughter that his son-in-law was in trouble. His wife asked him to talk to Koga before he got into bad trouble. Not aware of what was happening at the War Ministry, Tojo decided to go there and find out the reason for Koga’s strange actions. He called for a car and went off to Ichigaya.

When he returned at about nine o’clock that night, he seemed pleased. After officers had briefed him on the general situation, he had found Koga and talked persuasively to him about the future. He warned him to think carefully before involving himself in a coup. The son-in-law promised to stay calm, and Tojo left feeling that Koga would behave. He was wrong. Other forces were also working on the youthful patriot. Under extreme pressure from fellow officers at the palace, Koga joined the revolt.

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