Toshiyuki Matsushita (OUTDATED)

People's Republic of Japan (1948-)

People’s Republican Army

1948-Present (People's Republican Army)

Grand Marshal (PRA)

Japanese Civil War (Second Phase)

**Toshiyuki Matsushita** (まつした としゆき, 松下季之, *Matsushita Toshiyuki*, Born 18 April 1925) is the current President of the People's Republic of Japan. Widely regarded as an extremely skilled politician, Matsushita has played a massive role in recent Japanese history and in particular, the Japanese Civil War.

## Biography

### Early LIfe

Matsushita was born on 18 April, 1925 at his family home in Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture to a farmer father and a housewife mother. He grew up with a strong sense of patriotism and a love for the country of Japan. His early years were spent mainly working on the family farm, though he was also an avid reader, and in his spare time he loved playing with toy soldiers. Matsushita would go to high school in Kasama, where he excelled in classes.

### World War II

At age 18, Matsushita enlisted in the Imperial Japanese Army in 1943. He served in the the 33rd Division of the IJA, being sent to Burma. In 1944, he would participate with his division in the Battle of Imphal against the British. The defeat of Japan in this battle began Matsushita's questioning of the government's handling of the war. In 1945, the 33rd division was reassigned to Japan for the American invasion of the home islands. In August, the division was sent to Nagasaki to serve as reinforcements for the Japanese garrison there. However before he could see initial combat at Nagasaki, the 33rd Division was transferred to Honshu.

At Honshu, the 33rd Division participated in the defense of Tokyo and the surrounding Kanto region, including Matsushita's home town of Kasama. It was during this time that Matsushita's anti-Americanism would cement itself, after seeing crimes committed by US soldiers. These crimes included the execution of Japanese civilians and soldiers and the destruction of important historical buildings.

He participates in the defense of Tokyo, stating later that he would "kill at least fifteen American soldiers." However, the Japanese would lose the battle of Tokyo, with the US taking it on December 23. The Imperial Court and government hastily retreated to Kyoto, and the 33rd Division followed. Matsushita was present at the defense of Osaka against the American advance. In February, he fought near Kobe where he was wounded again, this time seriously. Matsushita had been shot in the chest, and was sent to recover in Kyoto. By this time, his bitter feelings against the Americans had increased. He resented having to fight them, and felt betrayed by the government for not doing more to stop them. He felt that it would be in Japan's best interest to ally with the Soviet Union and China to fight off the Americans. At the Kyoto military hospital, Matsushita began fermenting dissent amongst the recovering Japanese soldiers. Many of them shared some of his views, an intense hatred of the American invader, and an intense dissatisfaction of the Japanese government and Imperial family. One of the most outspoken was an Army officer by the name of Major Kenji Hatanaka. Originally an incredibly devout supporter of the Emperor, he had too become disillusioned by the American invasion. Hatanaka and Matsushita were joined by Iemitsu Okano, a committed Communist. The three injured soldiers talked secretly to each other while recovering from their injuries, and on February 26 1946, the three men would form the Cherry Blossom Society. The group's goal was to "Detest the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians." The overthrow of the Emperor and the Imperial government, and the total defeat and eradication of the American invaders.

### Ten Thousand Cherry Blossoms

The three soldiers set off to begin recruiting members for their Cherry Blossom Society. Matsushita would spread his message to the soldiers within his unit and throughout the 33rd Division. As the American invasion began to slow down, the control of the IJA began to falter.