Hisashi Aso

A social activist and politician from the Taisho to Showa eras. Born in Oita Prefecture on May 24, 1891. After graduating from the Faculty of Law at Tokyo Imperial University, he became a newspaper journalist and organized the Reimeikai (religious socialist organization). He joined the Yuaikai (society of associates) and led labor movements at Hitachi Mine, Yubari Mine, Ashio Copper Mine, and other places, and in 1920 (Taisho 9) organized the All-Japan Miners' General Federation. In 1926 he formed the Japan Labor-Farmer Party, and thereafter, as a leader of the moderate faction among the proletarian parties, he served as secretary-general of the Japan Mass Party, the National Labor-Farmer Mass Party, and the Social Mass Party. From around 1933 (Showa 8), he gradually became more pro-military. He became a member of parliament in 1936. He later joined the group of close associates of Konoe Fumimaro, plotted the formation of the Konoe New Party, and became a member of the New System Preparatory Committee in 1940 (Showa 15), but died suddenly on September 6th of the same year shortly thereafter. He was a leader of the Todai Shinjinkai faction that emerged with the development of social movements after World War I, and was an active, bossy character. In the latter half of his life, he led the proletarian political parties towards fascism.

[Yoshiaki Yoshimi]

"The Biography of Hisashi Aso" edited by the Biography Publishing Committee (1958, Biography Publishing Committee)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

大正～昭和時代の社会運動家、政治家。明治24年5月24日大分県生まれ。東京帝国大学法学部卒業後、新聞記者となり、黎明会(れいめいかい)を組織した。友愛会に入り、日立鉱山、夕張(ゆうばり)鉱山、足尾銅山などで労働運動を指導し、1920年（大正9）全日本鉱夫総連合会を組織した。1926年日本労農党を結成し、以後無産諸政党のうち中間派のリーダーとして、日本大衆党、全国労農大衆党、社会大衆党の書記長を歴任。1933年（昭和8）ごろから徐々に親軍的傾向を強めた。1936年から代議士。のち近衛文麿(このえふみまろ)の側近グループに加わり、近衛新党結成を画策し、1940年（昭和15）には新体制準備委員となったが、まもなく同年9月6日急死した。第一次世界大戦後の社会運動の発展とともに現れた東大新人会系のリーダーであり、行動的な親分肌の人物であった。その後半生では、無産政党をファッショ化へ導くことになった。

［吉見義明］

『麻生久伝記刊行会編『麻生久伝』（1958・同伝記刊行会）』

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