Kazuo Yatsugi

A powerful politician in the Taisho and Showa periods. Born in Saga Prefecture. He ran away from home at the age of 15 and worked as a laborer and stevedore, before moving to Tokyo at the age of 20. In 1921 (Taisho 10), he joined the Kyokyokai at the recommendation of Tazawa Yoshiharu, but left in 1924 to set up his own company and establish the Labor Affairs Research Institute. During this time, he mediated major disputes at Noda Shoyu, Kyodo Printing, Nippon Gakki and other companies. In 1934 (Showa 9), in response to the movement of the Army Control Faction, he organized the National Policy Research Association. It was dissolved after the February 26 Incident (1936), but was reorganized in 1937 and engaged in drafting wartime national policy. He served as a member of the Planning Board, an advisor to the Imperial Rule Assistance Association and a director of the Imperial Rule Assistance Association, and was involved in the formation and overthrow of the wartime cabinet. After the Second World War, he re-established the National Policy Research Association in 1953 (Showa 28) after the purge from holding public office was lifted, and served as a liaison between him and the political and business circles of Korea and Taiwan.

[Kenzo Kitagawa]

"These People" by Yaji Kazuo (1958, Hikari Shobo)" ▽ "A Personal History of the Showa Era of Turmoil" by Yaji Kazuo, 3 volumes (1971-1973, Keizai Oraisha)" ▽ "The Emperor: Fifty Years in the Storm -- Yaji Kazuo's Interviews 1" by Yaji Kazuo (1981, Hara Shobo)" ▽ "Secret Stories of Showa Politics -- Yaji Kazuo's Interviews 2" by Yaji Kazuo (1981, Hara Shobo)" ▽ "People Who Create Modern History 4" edited by Nakamura Takahide et al. (1972, Mainichi Shimbun)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

大正・昭和期の黒幕的政治家。佐賀県生まれ。15歳で家出、人夫、沖仲仕などをして渡り歩き、20歳のとき上京。1921年（大正10）田澤義鋪(よしはる)の勧めで協調会に入り、1924年には退社、独立して労働事情調査所を設立。この間、野田醤油(しょうゆ)、共同印刷、日本楽器など大争議の調停にあたった。1934年（昭和9）には陸軍統制派の動きに呼応して国策研究同志会を組織。二・二六事件（1936）後解散するが、1937年国策研究会を再組織し、戦時国策立案に従事。企画院委員、大政翼賛会参与、翼賛政治会理事などを歴任、戦時内閣の組閣や倒閣にも関与した。第二次世界大戦後は公職追放解除後の1953年（昭和28）国策研究会を再建、韓国・台湾の政財界とのパイプ役を務めた。

［北河賢三］

『矢次一夫著『この人々』（1958・光書房）』▽『矢次一夫著『昭和動乱私史』全3巻（1971～1973・経済往来社）』▽『矢次一夫著『天皇・嵐の中の五十年――矢次一夫対談集1』（1981・原書房）』▽『矢次一夫著『昭和政界秘話――矢次一夫対談集2』（1981・原書房）』▽『中村隆英他編『現代史を創る人びと4』（1972・毎日新聞社）』

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