Kiichi Hiranuma

Kiichi Hiranuma (1865–1952) was a Japanese political leader whose roles included Prime Minister of Japan and president of the Privy Council (Japan). He co-founded the extreme nationalist Kokuhonsha movement, which drew inspiration from Italian fascism.

He became minister of justice in 1923. By 1926, Hiranuma was vice-president of the Privy Council (Japan) He influenced Japan's withdrawal from the League of Nations, the abrogation of the Washington Naval Treaty, and the signing of the Anti-Comintern Pact.

Following the February 26, 1936 Incident, he moved up to president of the privy council.

Succeeding Fumimaro Konoe's first cabinet, he formed a government for eight months, which fell when the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was signed. The cabinet of Nobuyuki Abe followed his government.

He continued to serve as president of the privy council, was home minister in 1940, and supported Tojo's call for a fight to the finish in 1945.

The International Military Tribunal for the Far East sentenced him to life imprisonment, but was released in 1951.