Tanzan Ishibashi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tanzan Ishibashi
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石橋 湛山
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| Prime Minister of Japan | |
| In office 23 December 1956 – 31 January 1957 |
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| Monarch | Shōwa |
| Preceded by | Ichirō Hatoyama |
| Succeeded by | Nobusuke Kishi |
| Director-General of the Japan Defense Agency | |
| In office 23 December 1956 – 31 January 1957 |
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| Prime Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Funada Naka |
| Succeeded by | Nobusuke Kishi |
| Minister of Posts and Telecommunications | |
| In office 23 December 1956 – 27 December 1956 |
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| Prime Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Isamu Murakami |
| Succeeded by | Taro Hirai |
| Minister of International Trade and Industry | |
| In office 10 December 1954 – 23 December 1956 |
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| Prime Minister | Ichirō Hatoyama |
| Preceded by | Kiichi Aichi |
| Succeeded by | Mikio Mizuta |
| Minister of Finance | |
| In office 22 May 1946 – 24 May 1947 |
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| Prime Minister | Shigeru Yoshida |
| Preceded by | Keizo Shibusawa |
| Succeeded by | Tetsu Katayama (Acting) |
| Member of the House of Representatives for Shizuoka 2nd District |
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| In office 1 October 1952 – 29 January 1967 |
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| In office 26 April 1947 – 17 May 1947 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 September 1884 Tokyo, Japan |
| Died | 25 April 1973 (aged 88) Osaka, Japan |
| Political party | Liberal Democratic Party (1955–1973) |
| Other political affiliations |
Socialist Party (1945–1955) |
| Alma mater | Waseda University |
| Signature |  |
Tanzan Ishibashi (石橋 湛山, Ishibashi Tanzan, 25 September 1884 – 25 April 1973) was an important Japanese journalist and politician. He was also a Nichiren Buddhist priest. Ishibashi served as the Prime Minister of Japan for a short time, from 1956 to 1957. He had to step down because he became ill. During his time as Prime Minister, he also worked as the Director General of the Japan Defense Agency. From 1952 to 1968, he was the president of Rissho University. His birth name was Seizō, but he used Tanzan as his Buddhist name.
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Early Life and Education
Ishibashi was born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1884. He was the oldest son of Sugita Tansei, a Nichiren Buddhist priest. His father was the head of the Kuon-ji temple. Ishibashi later became a Nichiren priest himself. He studied philosophy and graduated from Waseda University in 1907.
Career as a Journalist
After finishing university, Ishibashi worked as a journalist. He wrote for the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper for a while. After his military service, he joined the Tōyō Keizai Shimpo (which means "Eastern Economic Journal"). He later became its editor-in-chief. By 1941, he was the company president. At Tōyō Keizai, Ishibashi wrote a lot about Japan's money policies. He developed new ideas that were very liberal.
Political Views and Ideas
Ishibashi had strong liberal political views. He believed in individualism, which means focusing on the rights and freedom of each person. This was during a time in Japan called the Taishō Democracy. He also supported equal rights for women. He wanted women to have the same legal, political, educational, and economic chances as men. He believed this would help them succeed in modern society.
Ishibashi was also one of the few people who spoke out against Japan's control over other countries. He believed in a "Small Japan" policy. This idea meant Japan should give up its colonies, like Manchuria. Instead, Japan should focus on making its own economy and culture better. He also supported free trade and working with other countries. He thought this was better than military power and taking over other lands.
Entering Politics
After World War II, Ishibashi was asked to join the Japan Socialist Party. However, he chose to become an advisor for the new Liberal Party. From 1946 to 1947, Ishibashi served as the Minister of Finance. This was under Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida.
In April 1947, Ishibashi was elected to the National Diet for the first time. He represented the Shizuoka area. But less than a month later, he was forced to resign. This happened because he openly disagreed with the rules set by the U.S. forces occupying Japan.
Return to Public Life
Ishibashi was allowed to return to public life in 1951. He then joined Ichirō Hatoyama in opposing Prime Minister Yoshida's government. In 1953, Hatoyama became Prime Minister, and Ishibashi was made the Minister of Industry. Around this time, Ishibashi became known for supporting changes to Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution. He wanted Japan to be able to have a stronger military again.
In 1955, several conservative parties joined together to form the new Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Ishibashi was one of the people who helped create this new party.
Becoming Prime Minister
When Prime Minister Hatoyama retired in 1956, the LDP needed a new leader. Many thought Nobusuke Kishi would win. But Ishibashi worked with another candidate and won the election. He became the new Prime Minister of Japan.
After the war, each prime minister tried to achieve a big goal in foreign policy. Ishibashi said his main goal was to start diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China again. He also wanted to work well with other political parties. People liked his approach, and he had high public approval. Sadly, he became sick and had to resign after only two months. Kishi then took over as prime minister.
Later Political Influence
Even after resigning, Ishibashi remained an important figure in the LDP. He disagreed with Kishi's strong efforts to change the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty in 1960. Ishibashi felt Kishi's methods were too extreme. When Kishi forced the new treaty through, Ishibashi and other LDP leaders protested. They did not vote to show their disagreement.
Ishibashi also continued to play a big role in Japan's efforts to connect with China. He even visited China in 1963. Tanzan Ishibashi passed away on April 24, 1973. In his memory, Waseda University started the Waseda Journalism Award in 2001.
Honors and Awards
Ishibashi received several important awards for his service:
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (1964)
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers (1973; given after his death)
Images for kids
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Tanzan Ishibashi
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Tanzan Ishibashi's signature
See also
In Spanish: Tanzan Ishibashi para niños
