Murders and a failed coup made opposing the military dangerous, and a rule on ministers let the army block governments it disliked.
On 15 May 1932, young naval officers assassinated Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi. The next cabinet, under Admiral Saito Makoto, was made up mainly of government officials, with only some party members. This ended the run of cabinets led by the parties. It also showed politicians how dangerous it was to resist radical officers. But no single general yet controlled everything.
A coup is an attempt to seize power by force. On 26 February 1936, rebel officers tried a coup and killed senior figures, including Finance Minister Takahashi Korekiyo. The emperor insisted the revolt be crushed, and it was, by 29 February. The rebels did not take over Japan. Yet their violence killed opponents and spread fear, and other military leaders grew stronger afterwards.
In 1936, a rule was brought back that army and navy ministers had to be serving officers, not retired ones. Every cabinet needed these ministers. So the army or navy could block a new government simply by refusing to supply one. In January 1937, the army refused to name an army minister for Ugaki Kazushige, so he could not form his cabinet. This was a veto, a power to block a decision, used through an appointment rule rather than a coup.
- 15 May 1932
- Prime Minister Inukai killed; party cabinets end.
- 26 February 1936
- Failed coup by rebel officers.
- January 1937
- Army blocks Ugaki's cabinet.
Worked example: How the army veto worked
Ugaki is asked to form a cabinet in January 1937.
- His cabinet needs an army minister who is a serving officer.
- The army refuses to name anyone.
- Ugaki cannot fill the post, so he gives up. The army has blocked him without a coup.
Watch out for this
The February 1936 coup put the rebel officers in charge of Japan.
The coup failed and the rebels were crushed. But army leaders still gained power afterwards.
Check your understanding
How did the army block Ugaki from forming a cabinet in 1937?
- It refused to name a serving officer as army minister.
- It staged a successful coup against him.
- It had him assassinated.