Tadatsugu Shimazu

Tadatsugu Shimazu (May 19, 1903 – August 26, 1990) was a member of the Japanese aristocracy and the third head of the Tamari Shimazu family. His noble title was duke (bearing the rank of Senior Third Rank and First Class of the Order of Merit), with the peerage rank of Senior Third Rank and the highest class of merit awarded.

According to historical records, he was born in Sannencho, Kojicho Ward, Tokyo City. He was the eldest son of Tadazumi Shimazu, and after his father’s death in 1915, he succeeded to the family headship. His educational background began with kindergarten at Gakushuin Girls’ Department, followed by primary, junior high, and high school courses at Gakushuin. After being educated at a private school, he entered Kyoto University in 1926, enrolled in the Faculty of Law, married during his studies, and graduated in 1930.

In his career, he joined the Japan Red Cross Society headquarters in 1930 as an "advisor for social welfare investigations" and worked in the investigation department. At that time, the president was Tokugawa Ietatsu. In 1933, he was appointed to the House of Peers as a duke member and also served as a director of the Jikeikai (Tokyo Jikei Medical University). Following the death of Tokugawa Ietatsu in 1940, he became vice president of the Japan Red Cross Society.

During World War II, in 1942, a prisoner relief committee was established within the Japan Red Cross Society, and he served as its chairman. In 1944, he became vice chairman of the Tuberculosis Prevention Association, and after the war, he was promoted to chairman of the same organization. In 1946, he was appointed the 8th president of the Japan Red Cross Society, concurrently serving as chairman of the Tuberculosis Prevention Association and president of the Sanju Club, a civic organization. During his tenure, he worked tirelessly to rescue Japanese people remaining in the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China.

In 1950, he attended the 21st Council of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies held in Monaco. After returning to Japan on May 1, he visited the Imperial Household, conducted screenings of Red Cross-related films, and delivered lectures. In October of the same year, he participated in meetings of the International Red Cross Federation, and in 1951, he reported on these meetings to members of the Imperial family, including the Emperor and Empress.

However, he was forced to resign in 1965 due to responsibility for a corruption scandal involving staff members related to the blood donation campaign. In his later years, he served as the chief officiant at the funeral of Prince Takamado Norihito, and his ashes are interred at Gokoku-ji in Bunkyo Ward.

Regarding his family, Tadatsugu was married, although specific details are not provided. He passed away in Tokyo in 1990, and subsequently was buried at Gokoku-ji.

His honors include numerous medals, commendations, and court-related commemorative orders received from 1915 onward. Notably, he was elevated to Senior Third Rank in 1943 (Showa 18) and awarded the First Class of the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers in 1973 (Showa 48). He also bore foreign decorations.

Tadatsugu Shimazu’s life was marked by his extensive public service roles and duties as a member of the noble aristocracy.