Genji Matsuda
Encyclopedia
, was a politician and cabinet minister in the Empire of Japan
, serving as a member of the Lower House
of the Diet of Japan
nine times, and twice holding cabinet-level posts.
, Oita prefecture
, and was trained as a lawyer, graduating from the predecessor of Chuo University
. He was first elected to the Lower House as a representative from Oita Prefecture in 1908. Joining the Rikken Seiyukai
political party, he switched to the Seiyu Hontō in 1924, and Rikken Minseitō
in 1927.
In October 1929, Matsuda was picked to be Minister of Colonial Affairs
under the Hamaguchi administration, holding that post until April 1931. On July 8, 1934, he became Minister of Education
under the Okada administration
. During his tenure as Education Minister, he gained notoriety for a speech made on August 29, 1934 in which he blasted the use of the foreign words ‘mama’ and ‘papa’ by Japanese children when traditional Japanese words existed. The speech was widely reported in western media via Time Magazine, which also derided Matsuda for having previously stated that he was the "Lloyd George of the Far East" Matsuda created further controversy in 1935, when he attempted to interfere in selection of works for display in the Niten Exhibition held by the Japan Art Academy
.
Matsuda died in 1936. His grave is at the Tama Reien Cemetery in Fuchū, Tokyo
.
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
, serving as a member of the Lower House
House of Representatives of Japan
The is the lower house of the Diet of Japan. The House of Councillors of Japan is the upper house.The House of Representatives has 480 members, elected for a four-year term. Of these, 180 members are elected from 11 multi-member constituencies by a party-list system of proportional representation,...
of the Diet of Japan
Diet of Japan
The is Japan's bicameral legislature. It is composed of a lower house, called the House of Representatives, and an upper house, called the House of Councillors. Both houses of the Diet are directly elected under a parallel voting system. In addition to passing laws, the Diet is formally...
nine times, and twice holding cabinet-level posts.
Biography
Matsuda was born in Usa DistrictUsa District, Oita
was a district located in Ōita, Japan.As of 2003, the district had an estimated population of 12,739 and the density of 48.85 persons per km². The total area was 260.79 km².-District Timeline:...
, Oita prefecture
Oita Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan on Kyūshū Island. The prefectural capital is the city of Ōita.- History :Around the 6th century Kyushu consisted of four regions: Tsukushi-no-kuni 筑紫国, Hi-no-kuni 肥国, and Toyo no kuni...
, and was trained as a lawyer, graduating from the predecessor of Chuo University
Chuo University
Chuo University is a one of the Japanese leading universities. Thus it is competitive in several rankings such as shown below.-General Rankings:The university has been ranked 27th, 25th, 34th during 2008-2010 respectively in the ranking "Truly Strong Universities" by Toyo Keizai.-Research...
. He was first elected to the Lower House as a representative from Oita Prefecture in 1908. Joining the Rikken Seiyukai
Rikken Seiyukai
The was one of the main political parties in the pre-war Empire of Japan. It was also known simply as the ‘Seiyūkai'Founded on September 15, 1900 by Itō Hirobumi , the Seiyūkai was a pro-government alliance of bureaucrats and former members of the Kenseitō. The Seiyūkai was the most powerful...
political party, he switched to the Seiyu Hontō in 1924, and Rikken Minseitō
Rikken Minseito
was one of the main political parties in pre-war Empire of Japan. It was commonly known as the 'Minseitō'.The Minseitō was founded on 1 June 1927, by a merger of the Kenseikai and the Seiyu Hontō political parties. Its leadership included Osachi Hamaguchi, Wakatsuki Reijirō, Yamamoto Tatsuo, ...
in 1927.
In October 1929, Matsuda was picked to be Minister of Colonial Affairs
Ministry of Colonial Affairs
The was a cabinet-level ministry in the government of the Empire of Japan from 1923-1942.-History:The original Ministry of Colonial Affairs was the short-lived Hokkaidō Colonization Office, established in the early Meiji period by Prime Minister Kuroda Kiyotaka to protect Japan's sparely populated...
under the Hamaguchi administration, holding that post until April 1931. On July 8, 1934, he became Minister of Education
Ministry of Education, Science and Culture
The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture can refer to:* The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science* The Icelandic Ministry of Education, Science and Culture...
under the Okada administration
Keisuke Okada
was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy, politician and the 31st Prime Minister of Japan from 8 July 1934 to 9 March 1936.-Early life:Okada was born in what is now Fukui Prefecture to an ex-samurai family. He attended the 15th class of the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy, graduating 7th out of...
. During his tenure as Education Minister, he gained notoriety for a speech made on August 29, 1934 in which he blasted the use of the foreign words ‘mama’ and ‘papa’ by Japanese children when traditional Japanese words existed. The speech was widely reported in western media via Time Magazine, which also derided Matsuda for having previously stated that he was the "Lloyd George of the Far East" Matsuda created further controversy in 1935, when he attempted to interfere in selection of works for display in the Niten Exhibition held by the Japan Art Academy
Japan Art Academy
is the highest ranking artistic organization in Japan. The Academy discusses art-related issues, advises the Minister of Education on art-related issues, and promotes art is the highest ranking artistic organization in Japan. The Academy discusses art-related issues, advises the Minister of...
.
Matsuda died in 1936. His grave is at the Tama Reien Cemetery in Fuchū, Tokyo
Fuchu, Tokyo
is a city located in western Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. As of 2010, the city has an estimated population of 255,394 and a population density of 8,700 persons per km². The total area was 29.34 km²...
.