How a samurai-born admiral navigated the turbulent rise of Japan’s inter-war military state
In short: Saitō Makoto rose from a samurai household to become a powerful admiral, colonial governor, and prime minister. His career spanned the rapid modernization of the Imperial Japanese Navy and the volatile politics of the 1930s, ultimately ending in his assassination during a violent military uprising in Tokyo.
Born in 1858 in the Mizusawa Domain, Saitō Makoto began his ascent through the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy. By 1900, he had reached the rank of rear admiral, having distinguished himself during the First Sino-Japanese War. His career was marked by a steady climb through the naval hierarchy, including an eight-year tenure as Minister of the Navy starting in 1906. During this period, he became a central figure in the expansion of Japan's naval capabilities, though his influence was temporarily checked in 1914 when he resigned amid the Siemens scandal.
Saitō’s political reach extended far beyond the military. He served two terms as Governor-General of Korea, beginning in 1919, where he implemented policies intended to moderate Japan's governance. In 1932, following the assassination of Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi, Saitō was appointed as a compromise candidate to lead the government. His administration faced immense pressure from military factions, overseeing Japan's recognition of Manchukuo and its eventual withdrawal from the League of Nations. His tenure ended in 1934 after a bribery scandal forced his cabinet to resign.
The final chapter of Saitō's life reflected the extreme instability of the era. Despite his transition to the role of Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal in 1935, he remained a target for radical elements within the military. On February 26, 1936, he was assassinated at his home in Yotsuya, Tokyo, during the February 26 Incident. This event, which also claimed the life of former prime minister Takahashi Korekiyo, marked a definitive moment in the erosion of civilian political authority in pre-war Japan.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Saitō Makoto
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