Sakaguchi Kiichiro

Sakaguchi Kiichiro (阪口喜一郎, Sakaguchi Kiichiro, January 1902 – December 1933) was a Japanese anti-war activist and a sailor in the Imperial Japanese Navy. During his service, he was active in anti-war activity.

Sakaguchi Kiichiro
阪口喜一郎
Kiichiro, ca. 1930
Born	(1902-01-00)January , 1902 Izumi, Osaka Prefecture, Empire of Japan
Died	(1933-12-00)December , 1933 Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Empire of Japan
Political party	Japanese Communist Party
Spouse	Umeko

Early life

Sakaguchi Kiichiro was born in January 1902 in Izumi, Osaka Prefecture. After graduating from high school, he joined the Marine Corps. In 1930, he organized the Social Science Research Society within the Navy. At some point he married a woman named Umeko.

Activism

Sakaguchi joined the Communist Party of Japan in 1931. In response to the Japanese Invasion of Manchuria in 1931, and the Japanese Invasion of Shanghai in 1932, Sakaguchi launched the anti-war newspaper "Soaring Mast" in February 1932. Six issues were produced and distributed.

Arrest, and Death

Kiichiro Sakaguchi was arrested by Japanese authorities in Tokyo on November 15th, 1933. Kiichiro would be held in the Kure Military Police Detention Center before being transferred to Hiroshima Prison. In Hiroshima Prison, he was tortured by the Special Higher Police. While in custody, Kiichiro would go on a hunger strike. He died in prison on December 27th, 1933. He was 31 years old.

Legacy

The Kiichiro Sakaguchi monument was erected in Izumi City, his place of birth. Amongst those who visited the monument was Japanese Communist Party politician Yoshiki Yamashita. On December 7, 2013, a rally was held at the Izumi City Community Center on the 80th anniversary of Sakaguchi's death.

See also

• Dissent in the Armed Forces of the Empire of Japan
• Takiji Kobayashi
• Political dissidence in the Empire of Japan

External links

• "「聳ゆるマスト」阪口喜一郎の顕彰記念碑建立運動 1、「不屈」広島県中部版　09年4月　NO-1". kure-sensai.net.
• "戦前の反戦運動 「戦争に反対して、命がけで活動した人たちの記録」". kure-sensai.net.