Question on Japanese internal politics in the 1930s-

raharris1973

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Japanese politics in the first half of the 1930s were marked by several coup attempts and assassinations of those officials who ultranationalists thought were not sufficiently patriotic.

Which is more correct- a) this type of "grassroots" pressure by mid-ranking officers and assassination of dissenters continued through the 1940s or b) after the Feb 1936 coup attempt the govt &army cracked down hard on coup plotters/assassins and the phenomenon largely petered out. But coincidentally the political "new normal" in Japan meant things like war with China and deference to Army & Navy programs.

I ask the question because I never read any details showing examples of high profile assassinations or coup plots be attempted after Feb 1936 in Japan, at least not until the *failed* attempt to curtail surrender in August 1945.
 
There actually were two plots to kill Premier Tojo in 1943-44. One was centered around RADM Sokichi Takagi, whose brother commanded the 6th Fleet (the IJN's submarine force) and was KIA on Saipan. He and other admirals blamed the Tojo government for Japan's defeats-including Admiral Shimada, the Navy Minister, and wanted both dead. Admiral Takagi consulted several right-wing organizations (experts in assassination), and decided on an "automobile accident" as the best way to liquidate Tojo. Several hot-headed Navy Lieutenant Commanders and Commanders would be in a truck and ram Tojo's Buick (irony here) and then hose the premier and anyone in the car with submachine guns. The shooters would then fly to Formosa in a Navy plane while Admiral Takagi stayed to pick up the pieces and take the rap, if necessary. Prince Takamatsu, the Emperor's brother, and also a serving Navy officer (Etajima graduate, Class of '24) gave sanction to the plot. Aborted after Tojo's resignation.

A second plot by rebels in the Army-who also blamed Tojo for Japan's defeats-involved throwing a bomb into Tojo's car as it approached the Imperial Palace. One of the plotters had too much to drink at the Tokyo Military District Officer's Club, and blabbed. Prince Chichibu, the Emperor's younger brother and a serving Army officer (a graduate of the Ichigaya Military Academy) called the plot treason and all of the plotters were arrested. They were let out when Tojo's government fell on 18 July 44 after the fall of Saipan.

Bit of trivia: Mrs. Tojo got a number of anonymous phone calls after the fall of Saipan asking why her husband hadn't committed suicide yet.
 
Adm Yamamoto resided aboard navy ships for a few weeks or months due to taking information about a assanation plot seriously, I've no idea if such a plot was real, but his supporters seem to have thought so.
 
I would incline towards a). The plotters lost the battle, but won the war, and got the aggressive foreign policy they wanted.
 
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