Shigenori Tōgō facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shigenori Togo
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| 東郷茂徳 | |
Tōgō as the Japanese ambassador to Germany
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| Minister for Foreign Affairs | |
| In office October 1941 – September 1942 |
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| Preceded by | Teijirō Toyoda |
| Succeeded by | Hideki Tojo |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Shigenori Boku (朴 茂徳, Boku Shigenori)
December 10, 1882 Hioki, Kagoshima, Empire of Japan |
| Died | July 23, 1950 (aged 67) Sugamo Prison, Tokyo, Occupied Japan |
| Occupation | Diplomat, Politician, Cabinet Minister |
Shigenori Tōgō (東郷 茂徳, Tōgō Shigenori, 10 December 1882 – 23 July 1950) was an important Japanese politician and diplomat. He served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Japan at the beginning and end of World War II. He also held positions related to colonial affairs during the war.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Shigenori Tōgō was born in a place called Hioki District in Kagoshima, Japan. His family had Korean roots, with ancestors who moved to Japan many years ago. In 1886, his father changed the family name to "Tōgō" from their original Korean name, "Boku."
Tōgō was a very smart student. He graduated from Tokyo Imperial University in 1904. After that, he studied the German language at Meiji University. He worked hard to join the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, applying five times before finally being accepted in 1912.
A Career in Diplomacy
Tōgō's first job overseas was in 1913. He worked at the Japanese consulate in Mukden, a city in Manchuria. Later, in 1916, he moved to Bern, Switzerland, to work at the Japanese embassy there.
After World War I, in 1919, Tōgō went to Weimar Germany. His job was to help Japan and Germany become diplomatic friends again. He returned to Japan in 1921 and worked on issues related to North America. In 1926, Tōgō became a secretary at the Japanese embassy in the United States, living in Washington DC.
He came back to Japan in 1929. After a short time in Manchuria, he went back to Germany. In 1932, he led the Japanese team at the World Disarmament Conference in Geneva. This meeting tried to reduce weapons around the world, but it wasn't very successful.
Ambassador to Germany and the Soviet Union
In 1937, Tōgō became Japan's ambassador to Germany. He worked in Berlin for about a year. After that, he became the ambassador to the Soviet Union in Moscow from 1938 to 1940.
During his time in Moscow, he helped negotiate a peace agreement. This agreement followed battles between Japan and the Soviet Union, known as the Battles of Khalkhin Gol. He also successfully helped create the Soviet–Japanese Neutrality Pact in April 1941. This agreement meant Japan and the Soviet Union would not attack each other.
Role in World War II
Shigenori Tōgō strongly believed that Japan should not go to war with the United States and other Western countries. He felt that Japan could not win such a war. He tried to arrange talks between Japan's Prime Minister and the US President to avoid conflict.
In October 1941, Tōgō became the Foreign Minister in the government led by Hideki Tōjō. Once Japan decided to attack, Tōgō signed the declaration of war. He did this because he didn't want to blame others for the failure of diplomacy. After the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, which started the Pacific War, he quickly helped Japan form an alliance with Thailand.
Tōgō also announced in January 1942 that Japan would follow the rules of the Geneva Convention. This was a step towards a more peaceful approach with Western countries.
In September 1942, he left his job as Foreign Minister. He disagreed with the idea of creating a new ministry just for occupied territories. Even though he was appointed to the Upper House of Japan's parliament, he mostly stayed out of public life for much of the war.
Pushing for Peace
In April 1945, Tōgō was asked to return as Minister of Foreign Affairs. In this role, he was a strong supporter of accepting the Potsdam Declaration. He believed this declaration offered the best chance for Japan to achieve peace. Tōgō hoped for good terms from the Soviet Union.
At his suggestion, Japan did not officially respond to the declaration at first. He waited to hear from Moscow. However, the Allied leaders saw this silence as a rejection. They continued their bombing campaigns.
Tōgō was one of the government ministers who pushed for Japan to surrender in the summer of 1945. After the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and other Japanese defeats, the government agreed to surrender without conditions.
After World War II ended, Tōgō was arrested. He was held at Sugamo Prison for his role in the government during the war. In 1948, a special court sentenced him to 20 years in prison.
Family Life
In 1922, Shigenori Tōgō married Carla Victoria Editha Albertina Anna de Lalande. She was a widow with five children from her first marriage. Tōgō's family did not approve of the marriage, but they got married anyway. Together, Shigenori and Carla had one daughter named Ise.
Ise later married Fumihiko Honjo, who was also a Japanese diplomat. He adopted the Tōgō family name out of respect. Fumihiko Tōgō later became the Japanese Ambassador to the United States. Their son, Kazuhiko Tōgō, also became a diplomat and scholar.
Death
Shigenori Tōgō passed away in Sugamo Prison on July 23, 1950. He had a health condition called atherosclerosis. After his death, a book of his memories called The Cause of Japan was published.
See also
- List of Japanese ministers, envoys and ambassadors to Germany
