Masahiko Takeshita

Who is Masahiko Takeshita?

Lt. Col. Masahiko Takeshita was the head of the domestic affairs section of the Military Affairs Bureau of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. In August 1945, he helped plan a coup along with Maj. Kenji Hatanaka and a handful of others, with the intent of preventing the Emperor's announcement of Japan's surrender from being broadcast.

As the most senior officer involved in the coup, he was, at times, the leader of the group. He believed, as did his co-conspirators and many others, that the Emperor had to be separated from his peace-seeking advisors and convinced to change his mind. They believed that the costs of repelling an Allied land invasion would not be devastating, and that, ultimately, Japan would be better off under military rule, with his brother-in-law, Minister of War Korechika Anami as shogun.

Takeshita had a close relationship with Anami, and was among the few who had the Minister's ear; Anami considered Takeshita one of his closest confidants, and so it was through him that the rebels gained much of their information and influence.