Shozo Murata
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese entrepreneur, cabinet minister and diplomat before, during and after World War II
.
and a graduate of the Tokyo Higher Commerce School (now Hitotsubashi University
). After graduation, he went to work with the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (currently Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
), and transformed the relatively small company into a major shipping company. He served as company president from 1934-1940. In 1939, he was appointed to the House of Peers.
Murata was representative of successful private entrepreneurs who were invited to join the Taisei Yokusankai
political organization created by Fumimaro Konoe
and his followers, and took active participation in debate on the state socialist controlled economy created under the National Mobilization Law
. He was invited to become both Minister of Communications and Minister of Railways when Konoe became Prime Minister of Japan
in 1940.
In 1943, Murata became Japanese ambassador to the Second Philippine Republic
, and special advisor to the Japanese Fourteenth Area Army of the Imperial Japanese Army
. He was recalled to Japan in 1945 to assume the post of Minister of Transportation.
In 1946,( original sources : September 1945 cf http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/27925201) Murata was taken into custody by the American occupation authorities
and held at Sugamo Prison
, where he was to be tried for war crimes, but was released without being formally charged.
In the post-war period, Murata was president of the Japan Association for the Promotion of Overseas Trade, and a number of other charity associations. He was also appointed special ambassador to the Philippines and worked towards the restoration of diplomatic relations between the Philippines
, China
and Japan
.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Biography
Murata was a native of TokyoTokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
and a graduate of the Tokyo Higher Commerce School (now Hitotsubashi University
Hitotsubashi University
is a national university specialised in the social sciences in Tokyo, Japan. The University has campuses in Kunitachi, Kodaira, and Kanda.Hitotsubashi is considered as one of the most prestigious universities in Japan. It is ranked 25th in the world in 2011 by École des Mines de Paris.Hitotsubashi...
). After graduation, he went to work with the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (currently Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
is a Japanese transport company headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo. The company's main area of operations is international shipping. Its alligator logo can be seen on containers in ports around the world....
), and transformed the relatively small company into a major shipping company. He served as company president from 1934-1940. In 1939, he was appointed to the House of Peers.
Murata was representative of successful private entrepreneurs who were invited to join the Taisei Yokusankai
Taisei Yokusankai
The was Japan's para-fascist organization created by Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe on October 12, 1940 to promote the goals of his Shintaisei movement...
political organization created by Fumimaro Konoe
Fumimaro Konoe
Prince was a politician in the Empire of Japan who served as the 34th, 38th and 39th Prime Minister of Japan and founder/leader of the Taisei Yokusankai.- Early life :...
and his followers, and took active participation in debate on the state socialist controlled economy created under the National Mobilization Law
National Mobilization Law
was legislated in the Diet of Japan by Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe on 24 March 1938 to put the national economy of the Empire of Japan on war-time footing after the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War....
. He was invited to become both Minister of Communications and Minister of Railways when Konoe became Prime Minister of Japan
Prime Minister of Japan
The is the head of government of Japan. He is appointed by the Emperor of Japan after being designated by the Diet from among its members, and must enjoy the confidence of the House of Representatives to remain in office...
in 1940.
In 1943, Murata became Japanese ambassador to the Second Philippine Republic
Second Philippine Republic
The Second Philippine Republic, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , was a state in the Philippines established on October 14, 1943 under Japanese occupation....
, and special advisor to the Japanese Fourteenth Area Army of the Imperial Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
. He was recalled to Japan in 1945 to assume the post of Minister of Transportation.
In 1946,( original sources : September 1945 cf http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/27925201) Murata was taken into custody by the American occupation authorities
Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers
Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers was the title held by General Douglas MacArthur during the Occupation of Japan following World War II...
and held at Sugamo Prison
Sugamo Prison
Sugamo Prison was located in the district of Ikebukuro, which is now part of the Toshima ward of Tokyo, Japan-History:...
, where he was to be tried for war crimes, but was released without being formally charged.
In the post-war period, Murata was president of the Japan Association for the Promotion of Overseas Trade, and a number of other charity associations. He was also appointed special ambassador to the Philippines and worked towards the restoration of diplomatic relations between the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.