Prince Yasuhiko Asaka of Japan (b. 1887)

General Prince Yasuhiko Asaka (朝香宮鳩彦王, Asaka-no-miya Yasuhiko-ō), born on October 20, 1887, and passing away on April 12, 1981, was a prominent figure in early 20th-century Japan. His life spanned eras of profound change, from the height of the Japanese Empire to its post-war reconstruction. As a scion of the Imperial House, he founded one of its collateral branches, the Asaka-no-miya household, signifying his unique position within the imperial lineage. Beyond his aristocratic status, he pursued a distinguished career as a high-ranking officer in the Imperial Japanese Army, deeply entwined with the nation's military ambitions and its most controversial moments.

Imperial Lineage and Early Life

Born into the Kuni-no-miya family, one of the four princely houses (Ōke) that traditionally provided a successor to the Chrysanthemum Throne should the main line fail, Prince Yasuhiko was the eighth son of Prince Kuni Asahiko. His connection to the heart of the Japanese imperial family was further cemented through marriage. In 1906, he wed Princess Fumi-no-miya Nobuko, the eighth daughter of Emperor Meiji, making him a direct son-in-law to the revered emperor. This union not only elevated his personal standing but also solidified the Asaka household's place within the broader imperial structure when he established his own collateral branch in 1906, known as Asaka-no-miya. Through his niece, Empress Kōjun (wife of Emperor Hirohito), he was also an uncle by marriage to Emperor Hirohito himself, placing him at the nexus of power and influence within the imperial family.

A Career in the Imperial Japanese Army

From an early age, Prince Asaka was destined for a military career, a common path for imperial princes in pre-war Japan who were often seen as symbols of national strength and leadership. He graduated from the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in 1908 and later from the Army War College in 1914. His early service saw him rise through the ranks, gaining experience in various capacities. He further honed his military acumen by studying in France at the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr from 1923, an experience cut short by a serious car accident that required an extended period of convalescence in France. During this time abroad, he developed a keen interest in modern art, particularly Art Deco, which he brought back to Japan, influencing architectural design. However, his primary focus remained his military duties. By 1935, he had attained the rank of General and, by 1937, was appointed to a pivotal command in the Second Sino-Japanese War, a conflict that dramatically escalated following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident.

The Nanjing Campaign and Its Aftermath

In December 1937, Prince Asaka was thrust into a position of immense responsibility and historical scrutiny. Following the illness of his superior, General Iwane Matsui, Prince Asaka was designated as the temporary commander of the Japanese forces poised for the final assault on Nanjing. Then the capital city of Nationalist China, Nanjing held significant strategic and symbolic importance. The fall of Nanjing was swift and brutal. After its capture, a horrific period of mass murder, rape, looting, and arson, known internationally as the Nanking Massacre or the "Rape of Nanjing," unfolded over several weeks. Historians estimate that hundreds of thousands of Chinese civilians and disarmed soldiers were systematically killed by Japanese troops during this period. Prince Asaka's presence as the ranking imperial commander during this pivotal time placed him at the center of controversy. He is alleged to have been a perpetrator in the atrocities, with some historical accounts suggesting he issued an order to "kill all captives" (殺してしまえ, koroshite shimae), though the direct evidentiary link remains debated among scholars.

Despite the grave allegations and the overwhelming evidence of the massacre, Prince Yasuhiko Asaka was never formally charged with war crimes. This immunity is largely attributed to General Douglas MacArthur's decision, as Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers (SCAP) during the occupation of Japan, to grant immunity to all members of the Imperial Family from prosecution by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE), commonly known as the Tokyo Trials. This decision was made to ensure the smooth transition of post-war Japan and to maintain stability under the emperor, avoiding the potential for widespread civil unrest that could have resulted from prosecuting imperial family members.

Post-War Life and Legacy

With the surrender of Japan in August 1945, the landscape of the Imperial House underwent radical change. On October 14, 1947, as part of the Allied occupation's reforms aimed at democratizing Japan and diminishing the imperial family's pre-war influence, Prince Asaka and other members of collateral imperial branches were stripped of their imperial status and titles, becoming commoners. He adopted the surname Asaka and was removed from the Imperial Household Register. Following this, he dedicated his life to different pursuits. He converted to Catholicism in 1951, a significant personal change for a former imperial prince, and was actively involved in golf, even designing golf courses. Prince Yasuhiko Asaka lived a long life, eventually passing away at the age of 93 in 1981, having witnessed Japan's transformation from a military empire to a modern, peaceful nation. His legacy, however, remains inextricably linked to the dark chapter of the Nanking Massacre, a historical shadow that continues to be a subject of intense historical and political discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Prince Yasuhiko Asaka?

Prince Yasuhiko Asaka was a Japanese imperial prince, the founder of the Asaka-no-miya collateral branch of the imperial family, and a career general in the Imperial Japanese Army. He was a son-in-law of Emperor Meiji and an uncle by marriage to Emperor Hirohito.

What was his role in the Second Sino-Japanese War?

He served as the temporary commander of Japanese forces during the final assault on Nanjing, then the capital of Nationalist China, in December 1937.

What is the Nanking Massacre?

The Nanking Massacre, also known as the "Rape of Nanjing," was a horrific period of mass murder, rape, looting, and arson committed by Japanese troops against the residents of Nanjing, including unarmed civilians and disarmed soldiers, following the city's capture in December 1937.

What was Prince Asaka's alleged involvement in the Nanking Massacre?

Prince Asaka, as the highest-ranking imperial commander during the fall of Nanjing, is alleged by some historians to have been complicit in the atrocities, with some accounts suggesting he issued an order to "kill all captives."

Why was Prince Asaka never charged with war crimes?

He was never charged due to a decision by General Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, to grant immunity to all members of the Japanese Imperial Family from prosecution by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (Tokyo Trials). This decision was made for political stability during the post-war occupation.

What happened to Prince Asaka after World War II?

After the war, he was stripped of his imperial status and titles in 1947 as part of post-occupation reforms, becoming a commoner. He then lived a private life, converted to Catholicism, and pursued interests like golf course design, until his death in 1981.