15 Facts About Hitoshi Ashida

Hitoshi Ashida was a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan in 1948.

Hitoshi Ashida was a prominent figure in the immediate postwar political landscape, but was forced to resign his leadership responsibilities after a corruption scandal targeting two of his cabinet ministers.

Hitoshi Ashida's father had been in the House of Representatives and served as director of Noko Bank.

Hitoshi Ashida's grandfather was landed magnate and village headman Jizaemon Ashida.

Hitoshi Ashida studied French civil law at Tokyo Imperial University.

In 1932, Hitoshi Ashida ran his first successful campaign for a seat in the House of Representatives as a member of the Seiyukai Party.

Hitoshi Ashida sided with Ichiro Hatoyama's "orthodox" wing following the Seiyukai's split in 1939.

Hitoshi Ashida was elected president of the new party, and became minister of foreign affairs in 1947 under Socialist prime minister Tetsu Katayama.

Hitoshi Ashida chaired the Committee on the Bill for Revision of the Imperial Constitution, and served as the chairman of the Kenpo Fukyu Kai, a society created to promote the revised Constitution of Japan, from 1946 to 1948.

Hitoshi Ashida became prime minister in 1948, leading a coalition government of Democratic and Socialist members.

Hitoshi Ashida's tenure ended just seven months after it began.

Hitoshi Ashida's government was hampered by taking over at the end of the fiscal year.

Hitoshi Ashida promoted the idea of forming a Japanese group of volunteers to fight alongside United Nations Command in support of the Republic of Korea.

In 1958, Hitoshi Ashida was cleared of all charges in relation to corruption allegations.

Hitoshi Ashida died a year later at the age of seventy-one.