Evening star., 1939-01-04
Japan
Continued From First Page.

the advantages of Nationalism, Fas-
cism and Communism"
Now 73, Baron Hiranuma was
minister of justice in 1923 and fire.
quently before had been mentioned
for the premiership.
Prince Konoye, AZ, became Pre-
mler June 4, 1887, a month before
the China War began.
He declared on his resignation to-
day that "the China incident has
now entered new state, and the
time has come when the government
must concentrate its efforts on con-
struction of new order in order
to maintain lasting peace in East
Asia"
He expressed conviction it was
urgently necessary to enhance the
confidence of the nation by formu-
lating new policies under a new
cabient," although the "unshake-
able fundamental policy" (to force
China regime favorable to Japan
had been established and approved
by his majesty. the Emperor"
With the conventional reference
to his own lack of ability" he
said he often thought himself un-
able to cope with the war crisis, but
the seriousness of the times did
not allow change of cabinet until
now"
The swift overturn came barely
five days after the first inner skir-
mishes occurred. 1t was the fourth
major attack by the Rightists
against the Premier's regime.
First Attack in April.
The first came in March and
April, 1888. over the national mo-
bilization law, which was passed by
the Diet Parliament).
Baron Hiranuma's Kokuhonsha
(Foundations of the Country So
ciety), a group for political action
although not a recognized political
party, was disbanded when he be-
came president of the Privy Council
in March, 1886, soon after the gov
ernment had quelled the Toxic mill
tary uprising of February 26-29.
The society simply vanished when
its leader became head of the Privy
Council, which is held to be above
politics. At that time it was re-
ported he was given that lofty post
to block his chances of becoming
premier.
He comes of Samurai family, but
rose not by career of arms, but
through the law. He became pro-
curator general. then minister of
justice and finally entered the Privy
Council. He has remained a bach
elor.
He long has maintained close
contact with the army and ultra
patriotic elements.
In 1884 Baron Hiranuma frankly
expressed his views in a magazine
article, declaring that political
parties and politicians have been
discredited in the eyes of the peo-
ple-there is little hope for them to
regain confidence"
He said of finance that I'VE must
not forget that financial pressure
resulting from the extreme concen-
tration of capital is the most i'm
portant factor in the present ex-
tremely bad predicament of farm
ers, small business men, the middle
and lower class generally"
In Samurai fashion, he lives with
austere frugality in a small subur-
ban villa with only two servants and
a chauffeur. He eats two meals
daily, never partakes of polished
rice or unusual delicacies, even at
banquets.
Clings to Custom.
While not against foreign modes
of life, he has opposed westerniza-
ton of Japan with the contention
it would be unfit for japanese.
Hence, he clings to japanese Co.'S
tune wherever possible.
He sleeps four hours a day. De-
spite his advanced age, he still
participates in old Japanese sports,
including fencing and archery. He
is known as the most taciturn man
of Japan and famous anecdote
says he remained silent for 80
minutes during discussion of
policies and then said one word,
NO"
His magizine article held that "the
japanese must awake to a keen
consciousness that they are jap
anese; we must make supreme
efforts, animated by the spirit of
Japan, to surmount all financial,
diplomatic and national defense
problems"