Imperial General Headquarters

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大本営

Imperial General Headquarters meeting, April 29, 1943, with Emperor Hirohito
A meeting of the Imperial General Headquarters, April 29, 1943. Emperor Hirohito is seated in the center. — Asahi Graph newspaper, Public Domain

The supreme military command center of the Japanese armed forces during World War II, located in central Tokyo.

Prefecture
Tokyo
City
Tokyo
Region
Kanto
Significance
National
Today
Rebuilt
Access
Restricted
Location accuracy
Approximate
Period
1937–1945

Images

The Ichigaya Court building for the Tokyo War Crimes Trials, 1946
The former Imperial Japanese Army HQ at Ichigaya, used as the courtroom for the Tokyo War Crimes Trials in 1946. — Fuji Shoen publisher, Public Domain
Defendants at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East
Accused Japanese war criminals including General Hideki Tojo at the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal, 1946. — Public Domain

History

The Imperial General Headquarters (Daihon'ei) was the highest organ of military command in wartime Japan, reporting directly to the Emperor. Established in the Imperial Palace grounds and the adjacent Ichigaya area, it coordinated the strategic operations of both the Army and Navy. It was from here that major decisions about the Pacific War were directed, including the planning of offensives, defensive strategies, and ultimately the deliberations leading to surrender.

Categories

Government Office (primary)Army Base

Related themes

Wartime Government戦時政府
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Imperial Japanese Army大日本帝国陸軍
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Surrender, Occupation & Repatriation終戦・占領・引揚
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Sources

  1. 防衛省市ヶ谷地区 - WikipediaWebsite
  2. 大本営 - WikipediaWebsite
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