en:Makoto Saito Memorial Hall

SAITO MAKOTO(1858-1936)

Saito was born here at Kichikoji as well as Takano and Goto. Goto was an old playmate to him. He was by nature gentle, broad-minded, and sincere, didn't quarrel with others, nor advertized himself. At the age of fifteen, he became a navy man.

In 1882, an ensign. In '98, the Undersecretary. In 1906, the Navy Secretary. Till '14, he continued to be among central characters of the navy administration, and made efforts to fill and develop Japanese navy. Then he was promoted to be an admiral.

In '19, he was installed as the Governor-general in Korea, and for then years he endeavored to convert military administration into civil. In '27,while in office, he was dispatched to the Navy Disarmament Conference between England, America and Japan in Geneva, as an ambassader extraordinary and plenipotentiary. Mr.and Mrs. Saito exerted for the adjustment by their good English.

In those days, Japan was frightened at an economic depression and occurrences of terrorism. In '32, he was nominated Prime Minister and dealt with the difficult situation for two years, under the slogan of "Self-help".

On Dec.26, '35, he was appointed "Naidaijin", which was the supreme adviser attached to the Tenno Hirohito. He had been maintaining a cooperative course with England and America, and opposing fascism.

Consequently, Feb.26, '36, he was attacked and shooted to death by those radical military officers who had been planning the military dictatorship. By this unprecedented "coup", several other VIPs died their tragic death, or were seriously wounded. Only the Premier escaped death by a miracle. By this coup, the Tenno, losing the most reliable VIPs, grieved bitterly at their death, and desired the rapid and strict disposal of those rebel leaders.

To our great regret, with this rebel as a turning point, Japan was destined to make a dash to its ruin in 1945.

• 【ADDRESS】
  〒023-0054
  24,KICHIKOJI, OSHU CITY
• 【Telephone】 0197-23-2768

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