Jinzaburo Mazaki

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Jinsaburo Mazaki (真崎甚三郎 Mazaki Jinsaburō November 27, 1876–August 31, 1956) was a Japanese general, commandant of the Japanese Military Academy, and a leading political figure during the late 1920s and early 1930s. A moderate, military politician, he began his military career with rank of second lieutenant with a command in the 46th Infantry Regiment, and later took charge of leading Tsushima Guard Detachment.

1 Early life
2 Political career
3 Military career
4 References

[edit] Early life

Born in Saga Prefecture in 1876, Mazaki graduated from the Japanese Military Academy in 1897 and later the Army Staff College in 1907. An infantry officer, he was promoted to the rank of Major in 1909 before studying abroad in Germany from 1911 to 1914.

After his return, Mazaki was appointed as a staff officer in the Inspectorate General of Military Education where he served from 1916 to 1920, becoming a Colonel in 1918. Appointed chief of Military Administration of Military Ministry in 1920, he was given command of the 1st Imperial Guards Regiment the following year. Upon his promotion to Major General in 1922, Mazaki served as a Brigade Commander until becoming director of curriculum at the Japanese Military Academy eventually becoming commandant by 1925. Promoted to Lieutenant General in 1927, Mazaki was placed in command of the 8th Division posted at Hirosaki for two years before being transferred to 1st Division in Tokyo until 1931. Serving as vice chief of the General Staff, Mazaki won promotion to full general in 1933 and appointed Inspector General of Military Education between 1934 and 1936.

[edit] Political career

Joining the Kodaha radical political faction of Sadao Araki, with Heisuke Yanagawa and Hideyoshi Obata, the group would merge with the rival Toseiha faction guided by Kazushige Ugaki to form the Imperial Way Faction, the dominating ultranationalist organization within the Japanese army throughout the 1930s until the World War II. A supporter of Germany, Mazaki would continue his involvement in political activities of the Kodoha party until his forced retirement though political maneuvers by General Tetsuzan Nagata of the Control faction. Mazaki's retirement would result in the assassination of Nagata the following year which, in turn, would led to the Young Officers Rebellion on February 29, 1936. Mazaki himself would continue to live in retirement until his death in 1956.

[edit] Military career

November 1897: graduated from Military Academy
June 1898: second lieutenant-46th Infantry Regiment
May 1899: assigned to Tsushima Guard Battalion (Infantry)
November 1900: first lieutenant-46th Infantry Regiment
December 1900: Instructor, Training Unit Military Academy
June 1904: promoted to Captain
December 1905: was graduated from War College
November 1907: assigned to Military Affairs Bureau, War Ministry
January 1909: promoted to Major
May 1911: Language Officer, Germany
June 1914, Battalion Commander-42nd Infantry Regiment
November 1914: promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
November 1916: assigne to Office of Military Training as Section Chief
January 1918: promoted to Colonel
July 1921: assigned to 1st Infantry, Imperial Guard Division as Regimental Commander
August 1922: assigned to 1st Infantry Brigade as Brigade Commander
August 1923: assigned to Military Academy as Commandant
March 1927: promoted to Lieutenant General
August 1927: assigned to 8th Division as Commander
July 1929: assigned to 1st Division as Commander
January 1932: assigned as Deputy Chief of the Army General Staff
June 1933: promoted to General--Military Councillor
January 1934: assigned as Inspector General of Military Training
July 1935: assigned as Military Councillor
March 1936: retired