Katsuko Tōjō

Katsuko Tojo (Tōjō Katsuko, October 8, 1890 – May 29, 1982) signed her documents as "Katsuko" in official records, with her family register name listed as "Katsu," and her commonly used name recorded as "Katsuko." She was born in Anmaki Village, Tagawa District, Fukuoka Prefecture (present-day Kawasaki Town), on October 8, 1890. Throughout her life, she served as vice-president of the National Defense Women's Association.

According to family information, she was the wife of Hideki Tōjō. The couple had seven children.

Regarding her education, she was academically motivated from a young age and attended the Okura High School for Girls (now Fukuoka Prefectural Okura West High School). After graduating from Okura Girls' High School, in 1906 (Meiji 39), she moved to Tokyo to attend the Department of Literature at Japan Women’s University (now Japan Women’s University). Her guarantor was Eikichi Tōjō, her father-in-law, and Katsuko frequently visited the Tōjō family.

On April 11, 1909 (Meiji 42), Katsuko married Eikichi Tōjō, an army infantry lieutenant, in a student marriage. Initially, Katsuko planned to marry after graduating from Japan Women’s University, but the marriage was arranged under the conditions set by Chitose, Eikichi’s mother. After the wedding, due to Chitose’s strict and often harsh treatment within the household, Katsuko dropped out of Japan Women’s University after about a month and a half. Chitose was reportedly Hysteric, and her family reportedly struggled with her temperament.

Regarding their relationship, Eikichi was deeply affectionate toward Katsuko, and their marriage was highly harmonious. During Eikichi’s assignment in Europe, the couple exchanged many letters. It is also said that during New Year’s of 1942 (Showa 17), Eikichi famously stated at a New Year’s gathering that he was "completely devoted to his wife."

After Japan's surrender in World War II, Eikichi was imprisoned at Sugamo Prison and tried as a class-A war criminal. Following his death, Katsuko and her family faced intense criticism and persecution from the Japanese public, but her love for Eikichi remained unchanged throughout her life. She continued to receive survivor’s benefits after the war. Just before Japan's defeat on August 15, 1945, she had planned to evacuate Eikichi and their children to Okutama, but this plan was ultimately not realized, and they relocated to Kyushu instead. Although she did not witness Eikichi’s suicide attempt or subsequent resistance firsthand, she was not present at their residence during those events.

Katsuko Tōjō passed away on May 29, 1982.