Hello and welcome to the History of Japan podcast.

Episode 68.

In Unnatural Intimacy, Part 6.

Now that we've gotten to Pearl Harbor, we're going to flash forward 10 years or so to April 28, 1951.

On that date, Prime Minister Yoshida Shigaru and his cabinet received something they'd

been aiming for for years.

Sovereign control over the nation which, in theory, they governed as representatives of its people.

The cast of characters who had led Japan to war were by this point mostly dead.

Konoa Fumimaru had committed suicide in 1945 when it became clear the allies were

planning to try him for war crimes.

Tojo was executed as a result of the war crimes trials after trying to commit suicide as well,

and Matsuo Kiyoski died in jail awaiting his own trial.

The only leader we've discussed at length who went free was the Prime Minister and

Admiral whose brief tenure in office was marked by genuine efforts at reconciliation,

Yonai Mitsumasa.

After surrender, Yonai continued to serve as Navy Minister.

Everyone else involved in the decision, resigned from the government, but he stayed on,

and oversaw the dissolution of the Navy in cooperation with the United States.

He was interrogated but never arrested, and died in his home of pneumonia in 1948.

Maybe there's something out there that would get me to change my mind about him,

but as far as I can see, Yonai was the best leader Japan had between the two world wars,

and it's a pity he didn't have more chances to realize his potential.

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