Saionji Kinmochi remained a political figure until his death in November 1940. His record included representing Japan at the Paris Peace Conference and supporting the proposed racial-equality clause for the League of Nations. He was an intended assassination target during the February 1936 coup attempt, even at eighty-six. In the account given here, a suspicious car following his escape contained reporters hoping to witness his killing. Saionji favored relations with Britain and the United States and opposed both army dominance and the Tripartite Pact. He also retained influence over the choice of prime minister.
Notable Point · 33:17-35:50
Saionji's survival and opposition to army dominance
The last publicly acknowledged genro survived the 1936 coup attempt and remained an opponent of army dominance.