Kijūrō Shidehara

Quick Facts: Who was Kijūrō Shidehara?

Subject:

Kijūrō Shidehara

Known for:

Influential Japanese diplomat and politician, known for his pacifist advocacy.

Born:

1872-09-13

Died:

1951-03-10

Century / Era:

1872s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Baron Kijūrō Shidehara (幣原 喜重郎, Shidehara Kijūrō; 13 September 1872 – 10 March 1951), was a Japanese diplomat and politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 1945 to 1946. He was a leading proponent of pacifism in Japan before and after World War II. Born to a wealthy Osaka family, Shidehara studied law at Tokyo Imperial University and graduated in 1895. He then joined the foreign service and held postings in Korea, Europe, and the United States, serving as ambassador to the latter from 1919 to 1922. Shidehara served as foreign minister from 1924 to 1927 and from 1929 to 1931, and favored a non-interventionist policy in China.

Career & Major Achievements

As prime minister after World War II, Shidehara set into motion many of the occupation reforms. After his tenure, he served as the president of the Progressive Party and as an adviser to Shigeru Yoshida. He was elected to the National Diet in 1947 and joined the Liberal Party, and from 1949 to 1951 served as speaker of the House of Representatives. Shidehara was born on 13 September 1872, in Kadoma, Osaka, into a wealthy farming family (gōnō). His brother Taira was the first president of Taihoku Imperial University.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Shidehara attended Tokyo Imperial University, and graduated from the Faculty of Law, where he had studied under Hozumi Nobushige. After graduation, he found a position within the Foreign Ministry and was sent as a consul to Chemulpo in Korea in 1896. In 1903, Shidehara married Masako Iwasaki, who came from the family that founded the Mitsubishi zaibatsu. This made him the brother-in-law of Katō Takaaki, who had also been prime minister. He subsequently served in the Japanese embassy in London, Antwerp, and Washington D.C., and as ambassador to the Netherlands, returning to Japan in 1915.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1872 (1872-09-13): Birth of Kijūrō Shidehara — Influential Japanese diplomat and politician, known for his pacifist advocacy.
2. 1895: 1895 Milestone — Born to a wealthy Osaka family, Shidehara studied law at Tokyo Imperial University and graduated in 1895.
3. 1896: 1896 Milestone — After graduation, he found a position within the Foreign Ministry and was sent as a consul to Chemulpo in Korea in 1896.
4. 1903: 1903 Milestone — In 1903, Shidehara married Masako Iwasaki, who came from the family that founded the Mitsubishi zaibatsu.
5. 1915: 1915 Milestone — , and as ambassador to the Netherlands, returning to Japan in 1915.
6. 1919: 1919 Milestone — He then joined the foreign service and held postings in Korea, Europe, and the United States, serving as ambassador to the latter from 1919 to 1922.
7. 1924: 1924 Milestone — Shidehara served as foreign minister from 1924 to 1927 and from 1929 to 1931, and favored a non-interventionist policy in China.
8. 1947: 1947 Milestone — He was elected to the National Diet in 1947 and joined the Liberal Party, and from 1949 to 1951 served as speaker of the House of Representatives.
9. 1951 (1951-03-10): Passing & Historical Legacy — Kijūrō Shidehara passed away on 1951-03-10, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Kijūrō Shidehara

“Let us create a world without war (sensō naki sekai) together with the world-humanity (sekai jinrui).”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kijūrō Shidehara

True or False: “Did Shidehara Kijūrō originally propose Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan?”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Shidehara admitted in his memoirs that he was instrumental in proposing the provision limiting Japan's ability to wage war.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Kijūrō Shidehara