Kanji Kato

An agrarianist and leader in peasant education and Manchurian development immigration. Born in Tokyo. Graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture of Tokyo Imperial University in 1911 (Meiji 44). After working at the Ministry of Home Affairs' Local Bureau, he became a teacher at Anjo Agricultural and Forestry School in Aichi Prefecture in 1913 (Taisho 2). He became the first principal of the Yamagata Prefecture Autonomous Training School, which was established in 1915, and taught peasant children based on the ancient Shinto theory of Kakehi Katsuhiko. He then became the principal of the Japanese National High School, which was established in Tomobe (Kasama City) in Ibaraki Prefecture in 1926 with the aim of training and guiding key figures in rural areas. After the Manchurian Incident, he linked up with Captain Tomiya Kaneo of the Kwantung Army and promoted immigration to Manchuria. When the Manchuria-Mongolia Development Youth Volunteer Corps system was launched in 1938 (Showa 13) and the Central Training Center was established in Uchihara, Ibaraki Prefecture (Mito City), he served as its director. After the war, he was banned from holding public office, but after the ban was lifted, he returned to his post as principal of the privately run Japanese High School, and also served as an officer in an organization related to the development of former Manchuria.

[Kenzo Kitagawa]

"Kato Kanji Complete Works Publishing Committee, ed., 'Kato Kanji Complete Works, Volume 1' (1967)" ▽ "Ue Shoichiro, 'Manchuria and Mongolia Development Youth Volunteer Corps' (1973, Chuko Shinsho)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

農本主義者で農民教育および満州開拓移民の指導者。東京生まれ。1911年（明治44）東京帝国大学農学部卒業。内務省地方局勤務ののち、1913年（大正2）愛知県安城農林学校教師。1915年創設された山形県自治講習所の初代校長に就任し、筧克彦(かけいかつひこ)流の古神道理論に基づき農民子弟の教育にあたった。ついで1926年茨城県友部（笠間(かさま)市）に農村中心人物の養成指導を目的とする日本国民高等学校が創立されると、その校長となった。満州事変後は関東軍の東宮鉄男(とうみやかねお)大尉と結び満州移民を推進した。1938年（昭和13）満蒙(まんもう)開拓青少年義勇軍制度が発足し茨城県内原(うちはら)（水戸(みと)市）に中央訓練所が設立されると、その所長をも務めた。戦後は公職追放処分を受けるが、解除後、私塾的な日本高等国民学校の校長に復職、また旧満州開拓関係団体の役員を務めた。

［北河賢三］

『加藤完治全集刊行委員会編・刊『加藤完治全集　第一巻』（1967）』▽『上笙一郎著『満蒙開拓青少年義勇軍』（1973・中公新書）』

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例