This article examines the Showa Emperor’s strong distrust of totalitarian states and his deep dislike for Yōsuke Matsuoka, the architect of Japan’s withdrawal from the League of Nations and the Tripartite Pact. Despite this, Asahi Shimbun composed a song glorifying Matsuoka. Newly clarified records also show that domestic political opposition—not merely the Class-A war criminal issue—contributed to the Emperor’s suspension of visits to Yasukuni Shrine. The piece highlights the Emperor’s perspective on international cooperation and the diplomatic missteps that shaped Japan’s fate.

The Showa Emperor disliked Yōsuke Matsuoka, but Asahi composed the “Matsuoka Anthem.”
November 5, 2024
The following is a continuation of the previous chapter.
Except for the headings, all emphasized text within the body is mine.
The Showa Emperor disliked Yōsuke Matsuoka, but Asahi composed the “Matsuoka Anthem.”
From the Jitsuroku and Dokuhakuroku, we can infer that the Showa Emperor held a special sense of affinity toward the United Kingdom, where he had studied as Crown Prince.
He felt affinity toward Britain and the United States, and in contrast, he harbored strong wariness toward the totalitarian states of Germany and the Soviet Union.
Yōsuke Matsuoka, who drove Japanese diplomacy in an egocentric manner, was the main figure behind Japan’s withdrawal from the League of Nations and the formation of the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy.
He was the person the Showa Emperor disliked the most, and the Emperor strongly urged Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe to dismiss him.
Regarding the “Tomita Memo” reported by the Nikkei Shimbun in 2006 (former Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Agency, Tomita Asahiko, deceased), the Jitsuroku mentions the fact of the memo’s reporting, stating, “It refers to the enshrinement of so-called Class-A war criminals at Yasukuni Shrine and His Majesty’s visits” (entry dated April 28, 1988), but does not mention the contents.
The Jitsuroku avoids delving deeply into the Emperor’s innermost feelings as much as possible.
The Showa Emperor’s last visit to Yasukuni Shrine was in 1975 (Showa 50).
As for the issue of whether there was any connection between the suspension of his visits and the enshrinement of Class-A war criminals, there are affirmative and negative views, but I will not pursue that point here.
However, the Jitsuroku makes clear that opposition movements by parties such as the Japan Socialist Party (now the Social Democratic Party) had an influence.
In other words, it appears that the serene environment essential for a visit could no longer be ensured.
Moreover, given the Showa Emperor’s keen eye for observing people, he likely saw through individual personalities with cold precision (Matsuoka died in prison in June 1946).
It is not an issue that can be discussed in simplistic categories such as “Class-A war criminals” as a group.
After the Lytton Commission adopted its “Report Condemning Japan” following the 1931 (Showa 6) Manchurian Incident, Matsuoka harbored great dissatisfaction.
As Japan’s plenipotentiary representative in 1933 (Showa 8), Matsuoka unilaterally withdrew Japan from the League of Nations.
However, the Showa Emperor, who wished for international cooperation, was opposed to Japan’s withdrawal.
The League of Nations was established in 1918 (Taisho 7) during World War I.
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson announced his “Fourteen Points” and called for the creation of a peace-maintaining organization, which led to its establishment.
It had 42 member nations, and Britain, France, Japan, and Italy served as permanent members of the Council.
Withdrawal was far too rash.
Other avenues besides withdrawal should have been explored.
Like the termination of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, it was an event Japan would come to regret.
To be continued.