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{{Short description|Japanese naval officer and politician (1858–1936)}}
{{Short description|Prime Minister of Japan from 1932 to 1934}}
{{other people|Saitō Makoto|Makoto Saitō (disambiguation)}}
{{other people|Saitō Makoto|Makoto Saitō (disambiguation)}}
{{family name hatnote|Saitō|lang=Japanese}}
{{family name hatnote|Saitō|lang=Japanese}}
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| name = Saitō Makoto
| name = Saitō Makoto
| honorific_suffix = [[Order of the Bath|GCB]]
| honorific_suffix = [[Order of the Bath|GCB]]
| native_name = {{nobold|斎藤 実}}
| native_name = {{No bold|斎藤 実}}
| native_name_lang = ja
| image = Makoto Saitō (cropped-2).jpg
| image = File:Makoto Saito 2.jpg
| office = [[Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal of Japan]]
| office = [[Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal of Japan]]
| monarch = [[Hirohito|Shōwa]]
| monarch = [[Hirohito]]
| term_start = 26 February 1935
| term_start = 26 February 1935
| term_end = 26 February 1936
| term_end = 26 February 1936
Line 15: Line 16:
| successor = [[Ichiki Kitokurō]]
| successor = [[Ichiki Kitokurō]]
| office1 = [[Prime Minister of Japan]]
| office1 = [[Prime Minister of Japan]]
| monarch1 = Shōwa
| monarch1 = Hirohito
| term_start1 = 26 May 1932
| term_start1 = 26 May 1932
| term_end1 = 8 July 1934
| term_end1 = 8 July 1934
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| successor1 = [[Keisuke Okada]]
| successor1 = [[Keisuke Okada]]
| office2 = [[Japanese Governor-General of Korea|Governor-General of Korea]]
| office2 = [[Japanese Governor-General of Korea|Governor-General of Korea]]
| monarch2 = Shōwa
| monarch2 = Hirohito
| term_start2 = 17 August 1929
| term_start2 = 17 August 1929
| term_end2 = 17 June 1931
| term_end2 = 17 June 1931
| predecessor2 = [[Yamanashi Hanzō|Hanzō Yamanashi]]
| predecessor2 = [[Yamanashi Hanzō|Hanzō Yamanashi]]
| successor2 = [[Kazushige Ugaki]]
| successor2 = [[Kazushige Ugaki]]
| monarch3 = Shōwa
| monarch3 = Hirohito
| term_start3 = 1 December 1927
| term_start3 = 1 December 1927
| term_end3 = 10 December 1927
| term_end3 = 10 December 1927
| predecessor3 = Kazushige Ugaki <small>(Acting)</small>
| predecessor3 = Kazushige Ugaki <small>(Acting)</small>
| successor3 = Hanzō Yamanashi
| successor3 = Hanzō Yamanashi
| monarch4 = [[Emperor Taishō|Taishō]]<br/>Shōwa
| monarch4 = [[Emperor Taishō|Taishō]]<br/>Hirohito
| term_start4 = 12 August 1919
| term_start4 = 12 August 1919
| term_end4 = 14 April 1927
| term_end4 = 14 April 1927
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| successor4 = Kazushige Ugaki<small>(Acting)</small>
| successor4 = Kazushige Ugaki<small>(Acting)</small>
| office5 = [[Ministry of the Navy (Japan)|Minister of the Navy]]
| office5 = [[Ministry of the Navy (Japan)|Minister of the Navy]]
| primeminister5 = [[Saionji Kinmochi]]<br>[[Katsura Tarō]]<br>[[Yamamoto Gonnohyōe]]
| primeminister5 = [[Saionji Kinmochi]]<br>[[Katsura Tarō]]<br>[[Yamamoto Gonnohyōe]]
| term_start5 = 7 January 1906
| term_start5 = 7 January 1906
| term_end5 = 16 April 1914
| term_end5 = 16 April 1914
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| birth_place = [[Mizusawa, Iwate|Mizusawa Domain]], [[Mutsu Province]], [[Edo Shogunate|Japan]]
| birth_place = [[Mizusawa, Iwate|Mizusawa Domain]], [[Mutsu Province]], [[Edo Shogunate|Japan]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1936|2|26|1858|10|27}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1936|2|26|1858|10|27}}
| death_place = [[Tokyo]], [[Empire of Japan|Japan]]
| death_place = [[Yotsuya]], [[Tokyo City|Tokyo]], [[Empire of Japan|Japan]]
| signature = SaitoM kao.png
| signature = SaitoM kao.png
| party = [[Independent (politician)|Independent]]
| party = [[Independent (politician)|Independent]]
| spouse = Saitō Haruko <small>(1873–1971)</small>
| spouse = Saitō Haruko <small>(1873–1971)</small>
| alma_mater = [[Imperial Japanese Naval Academy]]
| alma_mater = [[Imperial Japanese Naval Academy]]
| allegiance = {{flag|Empire of Japan}}
| allegiance = {{flagcountry|Empire of Japan}}
| branch = {{naval|Empire of Japan}}
| branch = {{navy|Empire of Japan}}
| serviceyears = 1879–1928
| serviceyears = 1879–1928
| rank = [[File:Imperial Japan-Navy-OF-9-collar.svg|30px]] [[Admiral]]
| rank = [[File:Imperial Japan-Navy-OF-9-collar.svg|25px]] [[Admiral]]
| commands = {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Akitsushima||2}}<br/>{{ship|Japanese cruiser|Itsukushima||2}}
| commands = {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Akitsushima||2}}<br/>{{ship|Japanese cruiser|Itsukushima||2}}
| battles = [[First Sino-Japanese War]]<br/>[[Russo-Japanese War]]<br/>[[World War I]]
| battles = [[First Sino-Japanese War]]<br/>[[Russo-Japanese War]]<br/>[[World War I]]
| awards = [[Order of the Chrysanthemum]]<br/>[[Order of the Bath]] <small>(Honorary Knight Grand Cross)</small>
| awards = [[Order of the Chrysanthemum]]<br/>[[Order of the Bath]] <small>(Honorary Knight Grand Cross)</small>
}}
}}

[[Viscount]] {{nihongo|'''Saitō Makoto''', [[Order of the Bath|GCB]]|{{linktext|斎藤}} {{linktext|実}}||extra= 27 October 1858 – 26 February 1936}} was a Japanese naval officer and politician.<ref name="nussbaum809">[[Louis-Frédéric|Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric]]. (2005). [https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC&pg=PA809&dq= "Saitō Makoto"] in ''Japan Encyclopedia'', p. 809.</ref> Upon distinguishing himself during his command of two cruisers in the [[First Sino-Japanese War]], Saitō rose rapidly to the rank of [[rear admiral]] by 1900. He was promoted to vice admiral during the [[Russo-Japanese War]] in 1904. After serving as Minister of the Navy from 1906 to 1914, Saitō held the position of [[Japanese Governor-General of Korea|Governor-General of Korea]] from 1919 to 1927 and again from 1929 to 1931. When [[May 15 incident|Inukai Tsuyoshi was assassinated in May 1932]], he took his place as [[Prime Minister of Japan|prime minister]] and served one term in office. Saitō returned to public service as [[Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal of Japan|Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal]] in February 1935 but was assassinated only a year later during the [[February 26 Incident]]. Saitō was the last former prime minister to be assassinated until 2022, with [[Assassination of Shinzo Abe|the assassination]] of [[Shinzo Abe]].
[[Viscount]] {{nihongo|'''Saitō Makoto''', [[Order of the Bath|GCB]]|{{linktext|斎藤}} {{linktext|実}} }} (27 October 1858 – 26 February 1936) was a Japanese naval officer and politician.<ref name="nussbaum809">[[Louis-Frédéric|Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric]]. (2005). [https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC&pg=PA809&dq= "Saitō Makoto"] in ''Japan Encyclopedia'', p. 809.</ref> Upon distinguishing himself during his command of two cruisers in the [[First Sino-Japanese War]], Saitō rose rapidly to the rank of [[rear admiral]] by 1900. He was promoted to vice admiral during the [[Russo-Japanese War]] in 1904. After serving as Minister of the Navy from 1906 to 1914, Saitō held the position of [[Japanese Governor-General of Korea|Governor-General of Korea]] from 1919 to 1927 and again from 1929 to 1931. When [[May 15 incident|Inukai Tsuyoshi was assassinated in May 1932]], he took his place as [[Prime Minister of Japan|prime minister]] and served one term in office. Saitō returned to public service as [[Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal of Japan|Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal]] in February 1935 but was assassinated only a year later during the [[February 26 Incident]]. Saitō along with [[Takahashi Korekiyo]] were the last former prime ministers of Japan to be assassinated until 2022, with [[Assassination of Shinzo Abe|the assassination]] of [[Shinzo Abe]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
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==Military career==
==Military career==
[[File: Saito Makoto 1910.jpg|thumb|Saitō Makoto, 1910]]
[[File: Saito Makoto 1910.jpg|thumb|Saitō Makoto, 1910]]
In 1884, Saitō went to the [[United States]] for four years to study as a [[military attaché]]. Promoted to [[lieutenant]] on July 14, 1886; in 1888, after returning to Japan, he served as a member of the [[Imperial Japanese Navy General Staff]].
In 1884, Saitō went to the [[United States]] for four years to study as a [[military attaché]]. Promoted to [[lieutenant]] on 14 July 1886; in 1888, after returning to Japan, he served as a member of the [[Imperial Japanese Navy General Staff]].


After his promotion to [[lieutenant commander]] on December 20, 1893, he served as [[executive officer]] on the [[cruiser]] {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Izumi||2}} and [[battleship]] {{ship|Japanese battleship| Fuji||2}}.
After his promotion to [[lieutenant commander]] on 20 December 1893, he served as [[executive officer]] on the [[cruiser]] {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Izumi||2}} and [[battleship]] {{ship|Japanese battleship| Fuji||2}}.


During the [[First Sino-Japanese War]], Saitō served as captain of the [[cruiser]]s {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Akitsushima||2}} and {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Itsukushima||2}}. He received rapid promotions to [[commander]] on December 1, 1897 and to [[captain (naval)|captain]] on December 27. On November 10, 1898, he became Vice Minister of the Navy, and was promoted to [[rear admiral]] on May 20, 1900<ref>Nishida, ''Imperial Japanese Navy''.</ref>
During the [[First Sino-Japanese War]], Saitō served as captain of the [[cruiser]]s {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Akitsushima||2}} and {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Itsukushima||2}}. He received rapid promotions to [[commander]] on 1 December 1897 and to [[captain (naval)|captain]] on 27 December. On 10 November 1898, he became Vice Minister of the Navy, and was promoted to [[rear admiral]] on 20 May 1900.<ref>Nishida, ''Imperial Japanese Navy''.</ref>


==Political career==
==Political career==
Saitō was again Vice Navy Minister at the start of the [[Russo-Japanese War]]. He was promoted to vice admiral on June 6, 1904. He was awarded the [[Order of the Rising Sun]] (1st class) in 1906. After the end of the war, he served as [[Ministry of the Navy of Japan|Navy Minister]] for 8 years, from 1906 to 1914, during which time he continually strove for expansion of the navy.
Saitō was again Vice Navy Minister at the start of the [[Russo-Japanese War]]. He was promoted to vice admiral on June 6, 1904. He was awarded the [[Order of the Rising Sun]] (1st class) in 1906. After the end of the war, he served as [[Ministry of the Navy of Japan|Navy Minister]] for 8 years, from 1906 to 1914, during which time he continually strove for expansion of the navy.


On September 21, 1907, Saitō was ennobled with the title of ''danshaku'' ([[baron]]) under the ''[[kazoku]]'' peerage system. On October 16, 1912, he was promoted to full [[admiral]]. However, on April 16, 1914, Saitō was forced to resign from his post as Navy Minister due implications of his involvement in the [[Siemens scandal]], and officially entered the reserves.
On 21 September 1907, Saitō was ennobled with the title of ''danshaku'' ([[baron]]) under the ''[[kazoku]]'' peerage system. On October 16, 1912, he was promoted to full [[admiral]]. However, on 16 April 1914, Saitō was forced to resign from his post as Navy Minister due implications of his involvement in the [[Siemens scandal]], and officially entered the reserves.


In September 1919, Saitō was appointed as the third [[Japanese Governor-General of Korea]]. Rising to the post right after the [[March 1st Movement|culmination]] of the [[Korean independence movement]], he was subject to an immediate assassination attempt by [[Kang Woo-kyu]], a radical [[Korean nationalist]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Everlasting Flower: A History of Korea|url=https://archive.org/details/everlastingflowe00prat_059|url-access=limited|first=Keith|last=Pratt|publisher=Reaktion Books|year=2007|page=[https://archive.org/details/everlastingflowe00prat_059/page/n219 218]|isbn=9781861892737}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Cross and the Rising Sun: The British Protestant Missionary Movement in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, 1865-1945|author=Ion, A. Hamish|publisher=Wilfrid Laurier University Press|volume=2|year=1993|page=206}}</ref> He served as governor-general of Korea twice—in 1919–1927,<ref name="nussbaum809"/> and again in 1929–1931,<ref>WorldStatesmen.org, [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Korea_South.htm Republic of Korea, Governors-General]; ewreiwcws 2012-10-18.</ref> implementing a series of measures to moderate Japan's policies on Koreans. He was awarded the [[Order of the Paulownia Flowers]] in 1924. On April 29, 1925, his title was elevated to that of ''shishaku'' ([[viscount]]).
In September 1919, Saitō was appointed as the third [[Japanese Governor-General of Korea]]. Rising to the post right after the [[March 1st Movement|culmination]] of the [[Korean independence movement]], he was subject to an immediate assassination attempt by [[Kang Woo-kyu]], a radical [[Korean nationalist]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Everlasting Flower: A History of Korea|url=https://archive.org/details/everlastingflowe00prat_059|url-access=limited|first=Keith|last=Pratt|publisher=Reaktion Books|year=2007|page=[https://archive.org/details/everlastingflowe00prat_059/page/n219 218]|isbn=9781861892737}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Cross and the Rising Sun: The British Protestant Missionary Movement in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, 1865-1945|author=Ion, A. Hamish|publisher=Wilfrid Laurier University Press|volume=2|year=1993|page=206}}</ref> He served as governor-general of Korea twice—in 1919–1927,<ref name="nussbaum809"/> and again in 1929–1931,<ref>WorldStatesmen.org, [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Korea_South.htm Republic of Korea, Governors-General]; ewreiwcws 2012-10-18.</ref> implementing a series of measures to moderate Japan's policies on Koreans. He was awarded the [[Order of the Paulownia Flowers]] in 1924. On 29 April 1925, his title was elevated to that of ''shishaku'' ([[viscount]]).


In 1927, Saitō was a member of the Japanese delegation at the [[Geneva Naval Conference]] on Disarmament, and he later became a [[privy councillor]].
In 1927, Saitō was a member of the Japanese delegation at the [[Geneva Naval Conference]] on Disarmament, and he later became a [[privy councillor]].


==Prime Minister==
==Prime minister==
Following the assassination of [[Prime Minister of Japan|Prime Minister]] [[Inukai Tsuyoshi]] on May 15, 1932 by fanatical navy officers who thought Inukai far too conciliatory (the [[May 15 Incident]]), Prince [[Saionji Kinmochi]], one of the Emperor's closest and strongest advisors, attempted to stop the slide towards a military take-over of the government. In a compromise move, Saitō was chosen to be Inukai's successor. [[Sadao Araki]] remained as [[War Minister]] and immediately began making demands on the new government. During Saitō's tenure, Japan recognized the independence of [[Manchukuo]], and withdrew from the [[League of Nations]].
Following the assassination of [[Prime Minister of Japan|Prime Minister]] [[Inukai Tsuyoshi]] on 15 May 1932 by fanatical navy officers who thought Inukai far too conciliatory (the [[May 15 Incident]]), Prince [[Saionji Kinmochi]], one of the Emperor's closest and strongest advisors, attempted to stop the slide towards a military take-over of the government. In a compromise move, Saitō was chosen to be Inukai's successor. [[Sadao Araki]] remained as [[War Minister]] and immediately began making demands on the new government. During Saitō's tenure, Japan recognized the independence of [[Manchukuo]], and withdrew from the [[League of Nations]].


Saitō's administration was one of the longer-serving ones of the inter-war period, and it continued until July 8, 1934, when the cabinet resigned en masse because of the [[Teijin Incident]] bribery scandal. [[Keisuke Okada]] succeeded as prime minister.
Saitō's administration was one of the longer-serving ones of the inter-war period, and it continued until 8 July 1934, when the cabinet resigned en masse because of the [[Teijin Incident]] bribery scandal. [[Keisuke Okada]] succeeded as prime minister.


Saitō continued to be an important figure in politics as [[Keeper of the Privy Seal of Japan|Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal]] from December 26, 1935, but was assassinated during the [[February 26 Incident]] of 1936 at his home in [[Yotsuya]], Tokyo. Takahashi, his predecessor, was shot dead the same day, along with several other top-rank politicians targeted by the rebels.
Saitō continued to be an important figure in politics as [[Keeper of the Privy Seal of Japan|Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal]] from 26 December 1935, but was assassinated during the [[February 26 Incident]] of 1936 at his home in [[Yotsuya]], Tokyo. Takahashi, his predecessor, was shot dead the same day, along with several other top-rank politicians targeted by the rebels.


Saitō was posthumously awarded the Supreme [[Order of the Chrysanthemum]].
Saitō was posthumously awarded the Supreme [[Order of the Chrysanthemum]].
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* {{flag|Kingdom of Italy}}: Knight Grand Class of the [[Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus]] (1 July 1907)
* {{flag|Kingdom of Italy}}: Knight Grand Class of the [[Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus]] (1 July 1907)
* {{Flag|France}}: Grand Officer of the [[Legion d'Honneur]] (17 December 1907; Commander: 4 April 1901)
* {{Flag|France}}: Grand Officer of the [[Legion d'Honneur]] (17 December 1907; Commander: 4 April 1901)
* {{flag|Russian Empire}}: [[Order of the White Eagle (Russian Empire)|Order of the White Eagle]] (1 May 1908)
* {{Flag|Netherlands}}: Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Orange-Nassau]] (31 May 1911)
* {{Flag|Netherlands}}: Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Orange-Nassau]] (31 May 1911)
* {{flag|Chile}}: [[Order of Merit (Chile)|Order of Merit]], 1st Class (22 March 1913)
* {{flagicon image|Flag of the Vatican City (2 by 3).svg}} [[Holy See]]:
* {{flagicon image|Flag of Vatican City (2001–2023, 2-3).svg}} [[Holy See]]:
** Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of St. Sylvester]] (17 January 1922)<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-14-1922-ocr.pdf Acta Apostolicae Sedis: Commentarium Officiale, Annus XIV - Vol. XIV, 1922, p. 207.]</ref>
** Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of St. Sylvester]] (17 January 1922)<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-14-1922-ocr.pdf Acta Apostolicae Sedis: Commentarium Officiale, Annus XIV - Vol. XIV, 1922, p. 207.]</ref>
** Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Pius IX]] (23 January 1932)<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-24-1932-ocr.pdf Acta Apostolicae Sedis: Commentarium Officiale, Annus XXIV - Vol. XXIV, 1932, p. 104.]</ref>
** Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Pius IX]] (23 January 1932)<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-24-1932-ocr.pdf Acta Apostolicae Sedis: Commentarium Officiale, Annus XXIV - Vol. XXIV, 1932, p. 104.]</ref>
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|title = A Modern History of Japan: From Tokugawa Times to the Present
|title = A Modern History of Japan: From Tokugawa Times to the Present
|publisher = Oxford University Press
|publisher = Oxford University Press
}} {{ISBN|0195110609}}/{{ISBN|9780195110609}}; {{ISBN|0195110617}}/{{ISBN|9780195110616}}; [http://www.worldcat.org/title/modern-history-of-japan-from-tokugawa-times-to-the-present/oclc/49704795?referer=br&ht=edition OCLC 49704795]
}} {{ISBN|0195110609}}/{{ISBN|9780195110609}}; {{ISBN|0195110617}}/{{ISBN|9780195110616}}; [https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/49704795 OCLC 49704795]
* {{cite book
* {{cite book
|last = [[Marius Jansen|Jansen, Marius B.]]
|last = [[Marius Jansen|Jansen, Marius B.]]
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|title = The Making of Modern Japan
|title = The Making of Modern Japan
|publisher = Harvard University Press
|publisher = Harvard University Press
}} {{ISBN|0674003349}}/{{ISBN|9780674003347}}; [http://www.worldcat.org/title/making-of-modern-japan/oclc/44090600&referer=brief_results OCLC 44090600]
}} {{ISBN|0674003349}}/{{ISBN|9780674003347}}; [https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/44090600 OCLC 44090600]
* {{cite book
* {{cite book
|last = Sims
|last = Sims
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|title = Japanese Political History Since the Meiji Renovation 1868-2000
|title = Japanese Political History Since the Meiji Renovation 1868-2000
|publisher = Palgrave Macmillan
|publisher = Palgrave Macmillan
}} {{ISBN|0312239149}}/{{ISBN|9780312239145}}; {{ISBN|0312239157}}/{{ISBN|9780312239152}}; [http://www.worldcat.org/title/japanese-political-history-since-the-meiji-renovation-1868-2000/oclc/45172740&referer=brief_results OCLC 45172740]
}} {{ISBN|0312239149}}/{{ISBN|9780312239145}}; {{ISBN|0312239157}}/{{ISBN|9780312239152}}; [https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/45172740 OCLC 45172740]
{{Commons category|Makoto Saitō}}
{{Commons category|Makoto Saitō}}


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[[Category:1858 births]]
[[Category:1858 births]]
[[Category:1936 deaths]]
[[Category:1936 deaths]]
⚫
[[Category:1936 murders in Asia]]
[[Category:20th-century prime ministers of Japan]]
[[Category:20th-century prime ministers of Japan]]
⚫
[[Category:Prime Ministers of Japan]]
[[Category:Government ministers of Japan]]
[[Category:Government ministers of Japan]]
[[Category:Ministers of the Imperial Japanese Navy]]
[[Category:Ministers of the Imperial Japanese Navy]]
[[Category:Governors-General of Korea]]
[[Category:Governors-general of Chōsen]]
[[Category:Imperial Japanese Navy admirals]]
[[Category:Imperial Japanese Navy admirals]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Iwate Prefecture]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Iwate Prefecture]]
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[[Category:Japanese military personnel of the First Sino-Japanese War]]
[[Category:Japanese military personnel of the First Sino-Japanese War]]
[[Category:Japanese military personnel of the Russo-Japanese War]]
[[Category:Japanese military personnel of the Russo-Japanese War]]
[[Category:Assassinated Japanese politicians]]
[[Category:Assassinated prime ministers of Japan]]
[[Category:Assassinated military personnel]]
[[Category:Assassinated military personnel]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Rising Sun]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Rising Sun]]
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[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Golden Kite, 2nd class]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Golden Kite, 2nd class]]
[[Category:Grand Officiers of the Légion d'honneur]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the White Eagle (Russia)]]
[[Category:Grand Officers of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus]]
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[[Category:Japanese naval attachés]]
[[Category:Japanese naval attachés]]
[[Category:Imperial Japanese Naval Academy alumni]]
[[Category:Imperial Japanese Naval Academy alumni]]
[[Category:Politicians assassinated in the 1930s]]
[[Category:Japanese politicians assassinated in the 20th century]]
[[Category:20th-century Japanese politicians]]
[[Category:Government of the Empire of Japan]]
[[Category:Burials at Tama Cemetery]]

Latest revision as of 15:36, 22 November 2024

For other people named Saitō Makoto, see Makoto Saitō (disambiguation).
In this Japanese name, the surname is Saitō.
Viscount
Saitō Makoto
GCB
斎藤 実
Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal of Japan
In office
26 February 1935 – 26 February 1936
MonarchHirohito
Preceded byMakino Nobuaki
Succeeded byIchiki Kitokurō
Prime Minister of Japan
In office
26 May 1932 – 8 July 1934
MonarchHirohito
Preceded byKorekiyo Takahashi (Acting)
Succeeded byKeisuke Okada
Governor-General of Korea
In office
17 August 1929 – 17 June 1931
MonarchHirohito
Preceded byHanzō Yamanashi
Succeeded byKazushige Ugaki
In office
1 December 1927 – 10 December 1927
MonarchHirohito
Preceded byKazushige Ugaki (Acting)
Succeeded byHanzō Yamanashi
In office
12 August 1919 – 14 April 1927
MonarchsTaishō
Hirohito
Preceded byYoshimichi Hasegawa
Succeeded byKazushige Ugaki(Acting)
Minister of the Navy
In office
7 January 1906 – 16 April 1914
Prime MinisterSaionji Kinmochi
Katsura Tarō
Yamamoto Gonnohyōe
Preceded byYamamoto Gonnohyōe
Succeeded byYashiro Rokurō
Personal details
Born(1858-10-27)27 October 1858
Mizusawa Domain, Mutsu Province, Japan
Died26 February 1936(1936-02-26) (aged 77)
Yotsuya, Tokyo, Japan
Political partyIndependent
SpouseSaitō Haruko (1873–1971)
Alma materImperial Japanese Naval Academy
AwardsOrder of the Chrysanthemum
Order of the Bath (Honorary Knight Grand Cross)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance Japan
Branch/service Imperial Japanese Navy
Years of service1879–1928
Rank Admiral
CommandsAkitsushima
Itsukushima
Battles/warsFirst Sino-Japanese War
Russo-Japanese War
World War I

Viscount Saitō Makoto, GCB (斎藤 実) (27 October 1858 – 26 February 1936) was a Japanese naval officer and politician.[1] Upon distinguishing himself during his command of two cruisers in the First Sino-Japanese War, Saitō rose rapidly to the rank of rear admiral by 1900. He was promoted to vice admiral during the Russo-Japanese War in 1904. After serving as Minister of the Navy from 1906 to 1914, Saitō held the position of Governor-General of Korea from 1919 to 1927 and again from 1929 to 1931. When Inukai Tsuyoshi was assassinated in May 1932, he took his place as prime minister and served one term in office. Saitō returned to public service as Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal in February 1935 but was assassinated only a year later during the February 26 Incident. Saitō along with Takahashi Korekiyo were the last former prime ministers of Japan to be assassinated until 2022, with the assassination of Shinzo Abe.

Early life

[edit]
Saitō Makoto visits his close friend, Finance Minister Takahashi Korekiyo at his official residence on 20 February 1936. Less than a week after this photograph was taken, both were assassinated by ultranationalistic Army officers during the February 26 Incident.

Saitō was born in Mizusawa Domain, Mutsu Province (part of present-day Ōshū City Iwate Prefecture), as the son of a samurai of the Mizusawa Clan. In 1879, he graduated from the 6th class Imperial Japanese Naval Academy, ranking third out of a class of 17 cadets.[2] He was commissioned an ensign on September 8, 1882, and promoted to sub-lieutenant on February 25, 1884.

Military career

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Saitō Makoto, 1910

In 1884, Saitō went to the United States for four years to study as a military attaché. Promoted to lieutenant on 14 July 1886; in 1888, after returning to Japan, he served as a member of the Imperial Japanese Navy General Staff.

After his promotion to lieutenant commander on 20 December 1893, he served as executive officer on the cruiser Izumi and battleship Fuji.

During the First Sino-Japanese War, Saitō served as captain of the cruisers Akitsushima and Itsukushima. He received rapid promotions to commander on 1 December 1897 and to captain on 27 December. On 10 November 1898, he became Vice Minister of the Navy, and was promoted to rear admiral on 20 May 1900.[3]

Political career

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Saitō was again Vice Navy Minister at the start of the Russo-Japanese War. He was promoted to vice admiral on June 6, 1904. He was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun (1st class) in 1906. After the end of the war, he served as Navy Minister for 8 years, from 1906 to 1914, during which time he continually strove for expansion of the navy.

On 21 September 1907, Saitō was ennobled with the title of danshaku (baron) under the kazoku peerage system. On October 16, 1912, he was promoted to full admiral. However, on 16 April 1914, Saitō was forced to resign from his post as Navy Minister due implications of his involvement in the Siemens scandal, and officially entered the reserves.

In September 1919, Saitō was appointed as the third Japanese Governor-General of Korea. Rising to the post right after the culmination of the Korean independence movement, he was subject to an immediate assassination attempt by Kang Woo-kyu, a radical Korean nationalist.[4][5] He served as governor-general of Korea twice—in 1919–1927,[1] and again in 1929–1931,[6] implementing a series of measures to moderate Japan's policies on Koreans. He was awarded the Order of the Paulownia Flowers in 1924. On 29 April 1925, his title was elevated to that of shishaku (viscount).

In 1927, Saitō was a member of the Japanese delegation at the Geneva Naval Conference on Disarmament, and he later became a privy councillor.

Prime minister

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Following the assassination of Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi on 15 May 1932 by fanatical navy officers who thought Inukai far too conciliatory (the May 15 Incident), Prince Saionji Kinmochi, one of the Emperor's closest and strongest advisors, attempted to stop the slide towards a military take-over of the government. In a compromise move, Saitō was chosen to be Inukai's successor. Sadao Araki remained as War Minister and immediately began making demands on the new government. During Saitō's tenure, Japan recognized the independence of Manchukuo, and withdrew from the League of Nations.

Saitō's administration was one of the longer-serving ones of the inter-war period, and it continued until 8 July 1934, when the cabinet resigned en masse because of the Teijin Incident bribery scandal. Keisuke Okada succeeded as prime minister.

Saitō continued to be an important figure in politics as Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal from 26 December 1935, but was assassinated during the February 26 Incident of 1936 at his home in Yotsuya, Tokyo. Takahashi, his predecessor, was shot dead the same day, along with several other top-rank politicians targeted by the rebels.

Saitō was posthumously awarded the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum.

Honours

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From the corresponding article in the Japanese Wikipedia

Peerages

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  • Baron (21 September 1907)
  • Viscount (9 April 1925)

Decorations

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  • Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fourth Class (20 June 1899; Fifth Class: 25 November 1896; Sixth Class: 26 May 1893)
  • Order of the Golden Kite, Second Class (1 April 1906; Fourth Class: 23 May 1896)
  • Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (1 April 1906; Second Class: 27 December 1901; Sixth Class: 23 May 1896)
  • Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers (11 February 1924)
  • Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum (26 February 1936; posthumous)

Foreign decorations

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Saitō Makoto" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 809.
  2. ^ Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), "Graduates of Naval Academy class 6th," Saito Makoto; retrieved 2012-10-18.
  3. ^ Nishida, Imperial Japanese Navy.
  4. ^ Pratt, Keith (2007). Everlasting Flower: A History of Korea. Reaktion Books. p. 218. ISBN 9781861892737.
  5. ^ Ion, A. Hamish (1993). The Cross and the Rising Sun: The British Protestant Missionary Movement in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, 1865-1945. Vol. 2. Wilfrid Laurier University Press. p. 206.
  6. ^ WorldStatesmen.org, Republic of Korea, Governors-General; ewreiwcws 2012-10-18.
  7. ^ London Gazette, 15 May 1906
  8. ^ Acta Apostolicae Sedis: Commentarium Officiale, Annus XIV - Vol. XIV, 1922, p. 207.
  9. ^ Acta Apostolicae Sedis: Commentarium Officiale, Annus XXIV - Vol. XXIV, 1932, p. 104.

References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Makoto Saitō.
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