Political prisoners in Imperial Japan

Political prisoners in Imperial Japan were detained and prosecuted by the government of the Empire of Japan for dissent, attempting to change the national character of Japan, Communist activity, or association with a group whose stated aims included the aforementioned goals.[1] Following the dissolution of the Empire of Japan after World War II, all remaining political prisoners were released by policies issued under the Allied occupation of Japan.

Political prisoners in Fuchu Prison: Kyuichi Tokuda (second from left), Yoshio Shiga (third from left)

Meiji period – Shōwa period
Imprisoned leaders of the Japan Communist Party are greeted upon their release from Fuchu Prison. (ca. 10 October 1945)

Beginning in the Meiji period, the government of the Empire of Japan detained Japanese residents suspected of political dissidence.[2]

In 1925, the Peace Preservation Law was passed. Article 1 of the law stipulates that:

"Anyone who organises an association with the objective of change the kokutai or denying the private property system, or who joins such an association with full knowledge of its objectives, shall be liable to imprisonment with or without hard labour for a term not exceeding ten years."[1]

Only about 5,000 out of more than 74,000 suspected violators of the Peace Preservation Law between 1928 and 1941 were prosecuted.[3]

Those who recanted were either released or received short prison terms.[4]

On 4 October 1945, the GHQ issued the Removal of Restrictions on Political, Civil, and Religious Liberties directive, which stipulated the release of political prisoners.[5] It was estimated that 2,500 to 3,000[6] political prisoners were in prison by the end of the war.[7] Following the release of political prisoners on 10 October 1945, the GHQ enacted the "Restoration of Electoral Rights to Released Political Prisoners."[8]

Notable political prisoners

Notable prisons

Memoirs

See also

References
  1. Elise K. Tipton (1990). The Japanese Police State: Tokko in Interwar. University of Hawaii Press. p. 62.
  2. Elise K. Tipton (1990). The Japanese Police State: Tokko in Interwar. University of Hawaii Press.
  3. Elise K. Tipton (1990). The Japanese Police State: Tokko in Interwar. University of Hawaii Press. pp. 28–33.
  4. Ben Ami Shillony (1981). Politics and culture in wartime Japan. Oxford University Press. p. 13.
  5. "5-3 The Occupation and the Beginning of Reform – Modern Japan in archives". National Diet Library. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  6. "Glossary – Birth of the Constitution of Japan". National Diet Library. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  7. Ben-Ami Shillony (1991). Politics and Culture in Wartime Japan. Oxford University Press. p. 13.
  8. Takemae, Eiji (2003). Allied Occupation of Japan. A&C Black.

Further reading
  • Milorad M. Drachkovitchy (1986). Biographical Dictionary of the Comintern. Hoover Press. ISBN 9780817984038.
  • Gayn, Mark (15 December 1989). Japan Diary. Tuttle Publishing. pp. 8–13.
  • Takemae, Eiji (2003). Allied Occupation of Japan. A&C Black.
  • Henry Oinas-Kukkonen (30 March 2003). Tolerance, Suspicion, and Hostility: Changing U.S. Attitudes toward the Japanese Communist Movement, 1944-1947: Changing U.S. Attitudes toward the Japanese Communist Movement, 1944-1947. ABC-CLIO.
  • J. Victor Koschmann (1 December 1996). Revolution and Subjectivity in Postwar Japan. University of Chicago Press.
  • Ben-Ami Shillony (1991). Politics and Culture in Wartime Japan. Oxford University Press. p. 13.
  • Richard H. Mitchell (1992). Janus-Faced Justice: Political Criminals in Imperial Japan. University of Hawaii Press. p. 154.
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