Shizuko Hirota

Shizuko Hirota (born August 1885, Meiji 18 – May 18, 1946, Showa 21) was a Japanese politician and the wife of Hirōta Kōki. She was from Fukuoka Prefecture and is also known as the Prime Minister’s wife.

Life

She was born in August 1885 (Meiji 18) in Fukuoka Prefecture as the second daughter of Tsu Success Taro, a former samurai of the Fukuoka Domain and a member of the Genyōsha. During her childhood, her father was detained as part of investigations related to the attempted assassination of Shigenobu Ōkuma, and she was raised at her family home in Fukuoka along with her family. After graduating from a high school in Fukuoka City, she moved to Tokyo with her family in 1899 (Meiji 32). Her residence was in Koishikawa Daimon Town (present-day Kasuga 1-2 Chome, Bunkyō Ward), near Denzū-in, but at that time, she was living in economically difficult circumstances.

She had a close relationship with her childhood friend and future husband, Hirōta Kōki. She would assist with cooking and chores at his dormitory, "Kōkō-kyō," in Koishikawa, supporting the household while attending girls’ school. After graduating from Japan Women’s University, she married Kōki Hirota in 1905 (Meiji 38), and they had three sons and three daughters, whom she raised.

Political Background and End

Her husband, Kōki Hirota, served as the 32nd Prime Minister of Japan. In 1946 (Showa 21), after Hirota was indicted as an Class-A war criminal at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (Tokyo Trials), Shizuko attempted to commit suicide by poisoning herself at their detached house in Kugenuma, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture. At the time, her cause of death was officially announced as angina, but later, more details about her death were publicly revealed at Kōki Hirota’s memorial gathering in 1953 (Showa 28).

Family

Her father, Tsu Success Taro (1858–1913), belonged to the Genyōsha and was originally a samurai of the Fukuoka Domain. During her childhood, he was involved in the attempted assassination of Shigenobu Ōkuma, planning an attack with Tsunehiko Kijima but abandoned the plan after being advised to refrain from further action. Later, he was related by blood to Tsuneo Tsuki (the 7th head of the Genyōsha). Her eldest son, Daisuke Tsuki, moved to Tokyo with Shizuko and attended Hibiya Middle School. Due to financial difficulties, he attempted to support himself as a rickshaw puller to pay for school but suffered from mental health issues and continued studying independently at home. Her younger brother, Saemon Tsuki, was also affiliated with the Genyōsha.

Notes

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