Taisei Yokusankai

Quick Facts: Who was Taisei Yokusankai?

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Taisei Yokusankai

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Japan's ruling, para-fascist political party during much of WWII, aiming for a totalitarian state.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Imperial Rule Assistance Association (Japanese: 大政翼贊會/大政翼賛会, Hepburn: Taisei Yokusankai), or Imperial Aid Association, was the Empire of Japan's ruling political organization during much of the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II. The association was created by Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe by a merger of the contemporary political parties Rikken Seiyūkai, Rikken Minseitō, Kokumin Dōmei, and Shakai Taishūtō on 12 October 1940. It was formed to promote the goals of his Shintaisei ("New Order") movement. It evolved into a statist, para-fascist ruling political party which aimed at removing sectionalism and factionalism from politics and economics in Japan, creating a totalitarian one-party state in order to maximize the efficiency of Japan's total war effort against China and later the Allies. When the organization was launched officially, Konoe was hailed as a "political savior" of a nation in chaos; however, internal divisions soon appeared.

Career & Major Achievements

After the 1942 Japanese general election, all members of Diet were required to join the Imperial Rule Assistance Political Association. The Imperial Rule Assistance Association was formally dissolved on 13 June 1945, around three months before the end of World War II in the Pacific Theater. Based on recommendations by the Shōwa Kenkyūkai (Shōwa Research Association), Konoe originally conceived of the Imperial Rule Assistance Association as a reformist political party to overcome the deep-rooted differences and political cliques between bureaucrats, politicians and the military. During the summer of 1937, Konoe appointed 37 members chosen from a broad political spectrum to a preparatory committee which met in Karuizawa, Nagano. The committee included Konoe's political colleagues Fumio Gotō, Count Yoriyasu Arima and entrepreneur and right-wing spokesman Fusanosuke Kuhara.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

A radical wing of the military was represented by Kingoro Hashimoto, while the traditionalist military wings were represented by Senjūrō Hayashi, Heisuke Yanagawa and Nobuyuki Abe. Konoe proposed originally that the Imperial Rule Assistance Association be organized along national syndicalist lines, with new members assigned to branches based on occupation, which would then develop channels for mass participation of the common population to "assist with the Imperial Rule". However, from the start, there was no consensus in a common cause, as the leadership council represented all ends of the political spectrum, and in the end, the party was organized along geographic lines, following the existing political sub-divisions. Therefore, all local government leaders at each level of village, town, city and prefectural government automatically received the equivalent position within their local Imperial Rule Assistance Association branch. In 1938, Konoe passed the State General Mobilization Law, which effectively nationalized strategic industries, the news media, and labor unions, in preparation for total war with China.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1937: 1937 Milestone — During the summer of 1937, Konoe appointed 37 members chosen from a broad political spectrum to a preparatory committee which met in Karuizawa, Nagano.
2. 1938: 1938 Milestone — In 1938, Konoe passed the State General Mobilization Law, which effectively nationalized strategic industries, the news media, and labor unions, in preparation for total war with China.
3. 1940: 1940 Milestone — The association was created by Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe by a merger of the contemporary political parties Rikken Seiyūkai, Rikken Minseitō, Kokumin Dōmei, and Shakai Taishūtō on 12 October 1940.
4. 1942: 1942 Milestone — After the 1942 Japanese general election, all members of Diet were required to join the Imperial Rule Assistance Political Association.
5. 1945: 1945 Milestone — The Imperial Rule Assistance Association was formally dissolved on 13 June 1945, around three months before the end of World War II in the Pacific Theater.

Notable Quotes by Taisei Yokusankai

“The Taisei Yokusankai movement has already turned on the switch for rebuilding a new Japan and completing a new Great East Asian order which, writ large, is the construction of a new world order.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Taisei Yokusankai

True or False: “The Taisei Yokusankai was formed solely by grassroots popular movements demanding political reform.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): It was established by the government and Japanese elites through a merger of existing parties, not purely from bottom-up popular demand.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Taisei Yokusankai