Hajime Sugiyama was a Japanese field marshal and one of the leaders of Japan's military throughout most of World War II.
11 Facts About Hajime Sugiyama
2.
Hajime Sugiyama served as a junior officer with 3rd Battalion of the 14th Regiment of the IJA 12th Division in the Russo-Japanese War, and was wounded in the face during the Battle of Shaho.
3.
Hajime Sugiyama was posted as military attache to the Philippines and Singapore in 1912, disguised as a civilian trading company employee, and disguised as an Imperial Japanese Navy lieutenant, joined in an inspection tour of the United States Navy base at Subic Bay.
4.
On his return to Japan, Hajime Sugiyama was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and commander of the 2nd Air Battalion in December 1918.
5.
In 1924, Hajime Sugiyama became a protege of Army Minister Ugaki Kazushige.
6.
However, the failed coup d'etat of the February 26 incident in 1936 led to a purge of the Kodoha from positions of authority and Hajime Sugiyama was promoted to full general in November 1936.
7.
In February 1937, Hajime Sugiyama became Army Minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Senjuro Hayashi and remained in that position under the succeeding Prime Minister, Fumimaro Konoe.
8.
When hostilities broke out near the Marco Polo Bridge, Hajime Sugiyama pushed Konoe for retaliation against China, thereby giving rise to the Second Sino-Japanese War.
9.
On 3 June 1938, Hajime Sugiyama left his position as Army Minister to become a member of Japan's Supreme War Council.
10.
Ten days after the surrender of Japan, after finishing preparations for the final dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Army as dictated by the victorious Allied Powers, Hajime Sugiyama committed suicide by shooting himself four times in the chest with his revolver while seated at his desk in his office.
11.
Hajime Sugiyama's grave is at the Tama Cemetery, in Fuchu, Tokyo.