Soemu Toyoda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Soemu Toyoda
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| 豊田 副武 | |
Vice Admiral Toyoda Soemu (1935-41)
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| Chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy General Staff | |
| In office 29 May 1945 – 15 October 1945 |
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| Prime Minister |
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| Preceded by | Koshirō Oikawa |
| Succeeded by | None (office abolished) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 22, 1885 Kitsuki, Ōita, Japan |
| Died | September 22, 1957 (aged 72) Tokyo, Japan |
| Awards | Order of the Sacred Treasures (1st class) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Empire of Japan |
| Branch/service |  Imperial Japanese Navy |
| Years of service | 1905–1945 |
| Rank |  Admiral |
| Commands | Yura, 7th Submarine Division, Hyūga, Weapons and Mobilization Bureau, Naval Communications Bureau, Naval Education Bureau, Naval Affairs Bureau, 4th Fleet, 2nd Fleet, Naval Construction Bureau, Kure Naval District, Naval Councillor, Yokosuka Naval District, Combined Fleet, Maritime Escort Fleet, Chief of Navy General Staff |
| Battles/wars | |
Soemu Toyoda (豊田 副武, Toyoda Soemu, 22 May 1885 – 22 September 1957) was a high-ranking officer, called an admiral, in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. He played a key role in the Japanese navy's operations.
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Soemu Toyoda was born in what is now Kitsuki, Ōita city in Japan. He joined the Imperial Japanese Navy Academy in 1905. He was a good student, graduating 26th in his class of 176 cadets.
After graduation, he served on several ships. These included the cruisers Hashidate and Nisshin. He became an ensign in 1906 and was later assigned to the destroyer Asatsuyu.
Learning More About Ships
Toyoda continued his education to become an expert. He specialized in torpedoes and naval artillery, which are ship weapons. In 1911, he became a lieutenant and served on the battlecruiser Kurama.
He studied at the Naval War College (Japan) and finished with honors in 1915. He was promoted to lieutenant commander in 1917. For two years, he worked as an assistant to Admiral Motaro Yoshimatsu.
Time in the United Kingdom
From 1919 to 1922, Toyoda worked as a naval attaché in the United Kingdom. This meant he represented the Japanese navy there. During this time, he was promoted to commander.
When he returned to Japan, he became an executive officer on the cruiser Kuma. He then held several important staff jobs. In 1925, he became a captain. His first command was the cruiser Yura in 1926.
In 1930, he became the captain of the large battleship Hyūga. He also went to the London Naval Conference in 1931 with Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. This conference was about limiting naval weapons. In December 1931, Toyoda was promoted to rear admiral.
Rising Through the Ranks
From 1931 to 1933, Toyoda was a chief in the Imperial Japanese Navy General Staff. He was promoted to vice admiral in 1935.
From 1935 to 1937, he was the Director of Naval Affairs. In 1937, he became the leader of the IJN 4th Fleet. Then, in 1938, he led the IJN 2nd Fleet. Both of these fleets were involved in the Second Sino-Japanese War in China. From 1939 to 1941, he directed naval shipbuilding.
World War II Involvement
Opposing the War
Toyoda became a full admiral in September 1941. At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, he was in charge of the Kure Naval District. Toyoda did not agree with going to war against the United States. He believed Japan could not win such a war from the start.
In 1942, Toyoda joined the Supreme War Council. He tried hard to get more money and resources for Japan's naval aviation. This was difficult because the army had more power in the government. In 1943, he was moved to command the Yokosuka Naval District.
Leading the Combined Fleet
After Admiral Mineichi Koga passed away, Toyoda became the Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet in May 1944. This was the main fleet of the Japanese navy.
In June 1944, he created "Plan A-Go". This plan led to a big defeat for the Japanese navy in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. He then made "Plan Sho-Go", which also resulted in a major loss at the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Toyoda knew these plans were risky. However, the Japanese navy was running out of fuel and supplies. He thought the chance of winning was worth the risk of losing ships. But his aggressive plans did not work out.
Even after these losses, Toyoda continued with similar strategies. He approved "Plan Ten-Go". This plan sent the battleship Yamato on a one-way mission to Okinawa.
Final Role and Surrender Discussions
Toyoda became the Chief of the Navy General Staff in May 1945. He was the last supreme commander of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
He took part in many important meetings about Japan's surrender of Japan. At first, the Navy Minister hoped Toyoda would help convince the Army Chief of Staff to agree to peace. However, Toyoda joined in protesting against the Potsdam Proclamation in July. He wanted the war to end but insisted that Japan should get better surrender terms. After the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Toyoda's view became even stronger. He argued that the Japanese people should fight to defend their home islands until the very end.
After the War
Interrogation and Release
After the war, Toyoda was questioned by Rear Admiral Ralph A. Ofstie in Tokyo in November 1945. He was seen as very smart and knowledgeable. He also strongly believed that the army had too much political power in Japan. He thought the war with China should have ended sooner. This would have allowed Japan to use its resources in the Pacific.
Toyoda was later arrested by the Allied Powers. He was held in Sugamo Prison. In 1948, he was charged with violating war laws. He said he was not guilty of any charges. He was found not guilty and released in 1949. He was the only Japanese military member charged with war crimes who was found innocent.
Later Life
Toyoda wrote his life story in 1950. He passed away in 1957 from a heart attack when he was 72 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Soemu Toyoda para niños
