Masatoshi Ikeda

Masatoshi Ikeda (born January 30, 1899 – July 17, 1945) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician. He was a member of the House of Peers, held the title of Viscount, and was awarded the ranks of Junior Fourth Rank and Fourth Class Order of the Rising Sun. He belonged to a study association.

He was born in Okayama Prefecture, and his registered domicile was Tokyo Prefecture at the time. His father was Ikeda Motonori, and he had a younger brother, Nobumasa Ikeda, and an older brother, Yoshimasa Ikeda. Masatoshi Ikeda was born as the second son of Ikeda Motonori. Later, he became an adopted son of Ikeda Masatoshi (governor of Kamogata Domain and brother of Ikeda Nobumasa).

He graduated from Keio University’s Faculty of Law in 1924 (Taisho 13). From that year onward, he worked as an interim Imperial Court Revision Officer, a military attaché, and a secretary at the Governor-General of Korea. He also served as a director of Azabu Bank, and as a member of various committees of the Ministry of Communications and the Dae Toa Ministry, as well as an auditor for the Korea Land Development Corporation.

On February 4, 1937 (Showa 12), his adoptive father retired from his position, and Masatoshi succeeded the family headship. On the 15th of the same month, he was granted the title of Viscount (Shishaku). He was elected as a substitute member of the House of Peers in the 1938 (Showa 13) Peerage election and was affiliated with the research association, continuing as a member of parliament until his death.

He died on July 17, 1945, at the age of 46.

Regarding his family: his older brother was Yoshimasa Ikeda (the 14th head of the Ikeda family of Okayama Domain), and his younger brother was Nobumasa Ikeda (the 15th head of that family). His wife was Ayako (daughter of Munekichi Mibu; she died at age 27), and another wife was Aiko (eldest daughter of Ujiie Tadayuki). His daughter Atsuko was born in 1927. He adopted Ikeda Masatada as his heir.

The references include “Jinji Kosho-roku Dai 12 Han ” (Jinji Kosho Jo, 1940), “Kizokuin Yoran (Hei)” December 1947 revised edition (House of Peers Secretariat), “Kugikai Seido Hyakunen-shi – Kizokuin Sangiin-in Meikan” (Ministry of Finance Printing Bureau, 1990), and “Heisei Shinshu Koshoku Kakei Taisei Joki” (Kasumi Kaikan, 1996).