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History Daily

The Assassination of Japan's Prime Minister

History Daily

History Daily

History

4.42.5K Ratings

🗓️ 15 May 2025

⏱️ 19 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

May 15, 1932. The Prime Minister of Japan, Inukai Tsuyoshi, is assassinated in an attempted coup d’état.


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Transcript

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0:00.0

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0:04.1

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0:06.0

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0:10.6

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0:33.5

No. It's just after 5.30 p.m. on May 15, 1932, at the official residence of the Prime Minister of Japan in Tokyo.

0:39.7

75-year-old Inokai Tsioshi bounces his infant grandchild on his knee, smiling at the girl's innocent laughter. It's a refreshing change to the sound of arguing voices that dominated

0:44.9

the cabinet meeting he chaired earlier today. Tiyoshi has only been prime minister for five

0:50.5

months, but it's already become difficult. Tioshi's political party doesn't have a majority in the Japanese parliament, so he has a

0:57.5

diverse set of ministers from different parties who rarely agree on anything.

1:02.0

On top of that, Japan is dealing with economic uncertainty and an increase in violent nationalism.

1:08.1

But now, with his daughter-in-law cooking him dinner in the adjoining kitchen,

1:11.9

Tiyoshi gets to enjoy himself. He tickles his granddaughter under her arm. But the laughter is interrupted

1:18.7

by the sound of the single gunshot from the floor below. Tioshi rises from his chair and quickly

1:25.4

locks the door to the apartment as his daughter-in-law

1:27.8

hurries in from the kitchen, her face pale.

1:30.7

Siyoshi hands her the baby and gestures for them both to be quiet.

1:35.1

Then Siyoshi puts his ear to the door and strains to hear what's happening on the other side.

1:40.4

There are footsteps, heading up the stairs toward them.

1:44.0

A second gunshot rings out from just behind the door, and Siyoshi jumps back.

1:49.0

The door handle rattles.

1:50.8

Then someone tries to break down the door.

1:53.4

Siosi's grandchild begins to scream.

...

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