Sadao Hasegawa

Sadao Hasegawa (born May 20, 1845 (Kōka 2, 6th month 20) – February 8, 1905) was a Japanese naval officer and the Chief Paymaster General, as well as a Privy Council member appointed by Imperial decree.

He was born in Toyoda District, Tōtōmi Province (present-day Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture), as the son of SadaNoruki Nakamura. He inherited the Hasegawa family, his paternal ancestral house. From childhood, he interacted with patriotic activists and organized the Hōkoku-tai militia. During the Boshin War, he participated in the expeditionary force under Prince Arisugawa Taruhito and achieved military merit in the Hakodate War.

Subsequently, he served in the Ministry of War, holding positions such as Assistant Auditor of Accounts, Junior Auditor of Accounts, Senior Auditor of Accounts, and later promoted to Chief Auditor of Accounts and Grand Auditor. In the Naval Ministry, he held various posts including Chief Paymaster, Director of the Main Ship Bureau, Deputy Head of the Accounts Bureau, Head of the Statistics Division, Head of the Accounts Bureau, Director of the Supplies Bureau, Head of the Paymaster Headquarters, Commander of the Naval Paymaster School, and Deputy Director of the Accounts Bureau.

In 1889 (Meiji 22), he was appointed as Naval Chief Paymaster and Director of the Accounts Bureau. While serving as the Director of the Third Section of the Naval Ministry in April 1891 (Meiji 24), he was placed on the reserve list, and on April 15 of the same year, he was appointed as an Imperial decree-selected member of the House of Peers. He passed away during his term as a legislator.

In his later years, he resided in Hamamatsu City and dedicated himself to public works in the western regions of Shizuoka.

Regarding his family, his eldest daughter Taki became the second wife of Masaki Terauchi. His fourth son, Tetsuo Hasegawa, is also mentioned.

He received honors including the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th class with Golden Rays and Rosette on November 30, 1886, and the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 3rd class, awarded on May 30, 1890.

References include "Gakuyō Meishiden" (edited by KeiYoshika, 1891), "Shizuoka Prefecture Biographies" (Shizuoka Prefecture, 1924), and "Directory of the House of Peers (Type C)" (Revised December, Showa 21, House of Peers Secretariat, 1947).