Korechika Anan

A contemporary of Mamoru Shigemitsu, Korechi Anan (1887-1945), who was born in Taketa, was a military man throughout his adult life and rose to the rank of general in the Japanese Imperial Army before finally being appointed War Minister in the Japanese cabinet towards the end of the Second World War. In this position he was an opponent of Japan surrendering to the Allied forces, led by the USA, even after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki arguing that to do so was dishonourable. However, when the Showa Emperor ordered an end to hostilities he acceded and told his supporters and Imperial Army to follow suit. This was a key moment in foiling an attempted military coup d'état on the night of 14th August 1945 by junior officers trying to prevent the broadcast of the emperor’s surrender announcement. Anan committed suicide in the traditional Japanese way early morning on the following day before the broadcast was aired. In the grounds of Hirose Shrine on a rise overlooking Taketa town centre stands a simple stone memorial and bust of Anan.