Anti-Militarism Congressman with 63-Year Career

OZAKI Yukio

Positioned at the front of the House of Representatives in the Japanese Diet is the bust of a man called OZAKI Yukio (1858~1954) whose pen name is "OZAKI Gakudo." Ozaki holds the record of being elected as a Diet Member for 63 years (selected 25 times), which is longer even than the political career of former British premier Winston CHURCHILL. Ozaki always fought for the people, never gave in to pressure from any powers or authorities, and devoted himself as a politician in order to realize true democratic politics and world peace.

When the Great Kanto Earthquake struck in 1923, a rumor spread that local Koreans were pouring poison into wells and subsequently many Koreans were murdered. Mr. Ozaki said, "I believe it's just a rumor, however, if it is true, we need to review why they were driven to do this." When an anti-Japanese movement began in China, he said, "It is ridiculous that we don't review our policy that led them to become anti-Japanese." He exhibited a fair thinking manner, regardless of nationalities.

In 1937, when Japan was moving towards becoming a military state, Ozaki made a strong and determined speech in the national assembly. Asking, "Which direction are you steering the helm of Imperial Japan?" he criticized the tyranny of the Japanese military and the increase in military spending. Newspapers reported about this widely and received many encouraging letters from people who agreed with him. Nevertheless, in spite of Ozaki's wish, Japan was running a straight course to war with China, which led on to the Pacific War.

A good nation increases the happiness of their majority
When World War II started, TOJO Hideki's Cabinet assembled all kinds of Japanese organizations into the "Taisei-yokusankai," a huge network of political organizations led by the government. Ozaki gave a speech criticizing the yokusan election that only gave privileges to those candidates who were in favor of government policy, and oppressed the rest. He was arrested for lese majesty (a crime in which due respect is not given to the Emperor and Imperial Family) and sentenced to eight months' imprisonment with a two year suspended sentence.

Taking many people by surprise, Ozaki appealed to the Imperial Court, saying, "If I committed such a major crime as lese majesty, my sentence is too light." And in 1944 the court passed down a not-guilty verdict. Ozaki had fought his whole life against militarism and fascism. Before the war, in order to repay the American government for helping to end the Russo-Japanese war he presented young cherry blossom trees. The trees now grow and bloom beautifully alongside the Portsmouth River in Washington DC. After the war, Ozaki advocated the founding of a world federation.

Ozaki was born in Sagamihara city, Kanagawa, and died at the age of 95. He had his own philosophies: "the older a man becomes, the more he can increase his knowledge and experience. So, a man can start a great business or have great insight just before he dies," and "The judgment of a good nation or a bad nation depends on whether she can increase or decrease the happiness of the majority of their people." Ozaki is called the "God of constitutionalism," or the "Father of parliamentary government."

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