Ōuchi Hyōei

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Ōuchi Hyōei

Role / Field:

Influential Japanese economist known for Marxist studies and academic leadership.

Born:

1888-08-29

Died:

1980-05-01

Century / Era:

1888s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Ōuchi Hyōei (大内 兵衛, Ōuchi Hyōei; August 29, 1888 – May 1, 1980) was a Japanese economist. Ōuchi was born on August 29, 1888, in what is now Minaminawaji, Hyogo, Japan. After graduating from schools in Hyogo and Kumamoto, and earned a degree from Tokyo Imperial University. Ōuchi briefly worked for the Ministry of Finance, then became a professor in the university's newly created economics department, where he was a member of a Marxist study group. Ōuchi became the editor of the department's new research journal, and published an article that Morito Tatsuo had submitted.

Career & Major Achievements

The article was a discussion of Peter Kropotkin's theories and a criticism of Japan's political systems. The Home Ministry made them stop distributing the journal on December 27, 1919, on the grounds that Morito's article advocated for anarchism. Morito refused to apologize for writing the article, so the economics department faculty voted to suspend both Morito and Ōuchi in January 1920 and the Home Ministry took them to court. Despite protests from hundreds of university students, Ōuchi was sentenced to a year of probation. Morito was sentenced to three months in jail.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

During this period, Ōuchi studied abroad in Germany. In 1923, a few years after Ōuchi returned to the university, he was promoted to full professor. However, conflict between Marxist and anti-Marxist faculty members within the department flared up after the March 15 incident. After the incident, some Marxist members of the economics department were pressured to resign. After the Popular Front Incident, Ōuchi and fellow economists Wakimura Yoshitaro, and Arisawa Hiromi were arrested in February 1939.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1888 (1888-08-29): Birth of Ōuchi Hyōei — Influential Japanese economist known for Marxist studies and academic leadership.
2. 1919: 1919 Milestone — The Home Ministry made them stop distributing the journal on December 27, 1919, on the grounds that Morito's article advocated for anarchism.
3. 1920: 1920 Milestone — Morito refused to apologize for writing the article, so the economics department faculty voted to suspend both Morito and Ōuchi in January 1920 and the Home Ministry took them to court.
4. 1923: 1923 Milestone — In 1923, a few years after Ōuchi returned to the university, he was promoted to full professor.
5. 1939: 1939 Milestone — After the Popular Front Incident, Ōuchi and fellow economists Wakimura Yoshitaro, and Arisawa Hiromi were arrested in February 1939.
6. 1980 (1980-05-01): Passing & Historical Legacy — Ōuchi Hyōei passed away on 1980-05-01, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ōuchi Hyōei

True or False: “Ōuchi Hyōei was appointed Minister of Finance by Shigeru Yoshida immediately after the war's end.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Although he was part of the early planning group, Ōuchi refused the position when Yoshida became Prime Minister in May 1946.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Ōuchi Hyōei