Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 33:45-34:22

Could Yonai send Hideki Tojo to North Africa?

A prestigious expeditionary command could give Yonai a politically useful way to move Tojo away from Tokyo while satisfying the army's demand for wartime honour.

Alternate HistoryCivil Military RelationsHideki TojoJapanese ArmyMitsumasa YonaiNorth Africa Campaign
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Question

Could a European war let Yonai send Hideki Tojo to command Japanese forces in North Africa and remove him from domestic politics?

Short answer

Possibly; Yonai could present the post as a vital command for an experienced general while gaining distance from a political rival.

Notes

A North African command would be a plausible political manoeuvre within the scenario. A Japanese contingent fighting beside Britain would need a commander whose experience and status protected the emperor from embarrassment before an important ally. Yonai could therefore describe North Africa as an honourable opportunity for Tojo to win a great victory. The same appointment would move Tojo away from Tokyo while Yonai tried to consolidate a more moderate government.