Chikuhei Nakajima

The native form of thispersonal nameisNakajima Chikuhei.This article usesWestern name orderwhen mentioning individuals.

Chikuhei Nakajima Trung đảo tri cửu bình
Chikuhei Nakajima
Born	(1884-01-01)January 1, 1884 Nitta District, Gunma,Empire of Japan
Died	October 29, 1949(1949-10-29)(aged 65) Mitaka, Tokyo,Allied-occupied Japan
Occupation(s)	Businessman, naval architect, naval officer, politician

Chikuhei Nakajima(Trung đảo tri cửu bình,Nakajima Chikuhei,January 1, 1884 – October 29, 1949),was a Japanese businessman,naval engineer,naval officer,andpoliticianwho was most notable for having foundedNakajima Aircraft Companyin 1917, a major supplier of airplanes in theEmpire of Japan.He also served as a cabinet minister.

Biography

Nakajima was born inNitta District, Gunma,(currently part ofŌta city), where his father was a farmer. Nakajima attended the Imperial Japanese Naval Engineering School, graduating from the 15th class in 1907and was promoted toEnsignin 1908.On October 27, 1911, he piloted Japan’s firstairship.He was also commissioned as alieutenantin theImperial Japanese Navyin 1911.After graduating from theNaval Staff Collegein 1912,he was sent for further studies to theUnited States,where he became the 3rd Japanese to receive a pilot’s license upon graduation from a flight school established byGlenn Curtiss.In 1915, he drafted the first paper advocating for the bombing of civilians to crush a nation's resistance/morale, this is also known asterror bombing.On his return to Japan, he designed an improved version of the Farman float plane for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Nakajima was dispatched as amilitary attachéto Europe in 1916, to observe first-hand the use of aircraft in combat. On his return to Japan in 1917, he resigned from the military as a Lieutenant,and opened a company to produce aircraft in Japan in his hometown of Ōta inGunma Prefecture.Nakajima received financial support from fellow engineer Seibei Kawanishi, and the company was calledNihon Hikoki Seisakusho KK(Japanese Aeroplane Manufacturing Work Co. Ltd). This company became theNakajima Aircraft Companyafter the partners split in 1919, and the same year, the new company received its first order for 20 aircraft from the Japanese military.

Nakajima first ran for public office during the1930 General Election,when he was elected to theLower Houseof theDiet of Japanwith the support of theRikken Seiyūkaipolitical party. He turned control of Nakajima Aircraft over to his brother in 1931 in order to devote his efforts to politics full-time, and was subsequently re-elected four times from the Gunma No. 1 Electoral District.

From June 1937 through January 1939, Nakajima served asRailway Ministerunder theKonoe administration.Nakajima also headed an influential political faction within theRikken Seiyūkai.He was awarded with theOrder of the Sacred Treasure,2nd class.

Nakajima was highly critical of the decision by Japan to declare war on the United States, and warned of the dangers posed by America’s industrial strength and production capabilities and growing air power. He was outraged by the decision of the Japanese military to abandon his project for a long-range bomber capable of striking at targets in North America. Although Nakajima was forced to join theTaisei Yokusankai,he was vocally critical of the new political organization. While recognizing the advantages of aone-party system,he accused it of being unconstitutional and of attempting to create a newshogunate.

After thesurrender of Japan,Prime MinisterHigashikuniasked Nakajima to accept the cabinet posts ofMinister of Munitions(which he held for a week until it was abolished) andMinister of Commerce and Industry(which he held for just over a month). Afterwards, he was arrested along with all other members of the former Japanese government by theSupreme Commander of the Allied Powersand was held inSugamo Prisonfor trial forwar crimes.Nakajima was released on parole before his trial came to court in 1947. In 1949, while at his home inMitaka, Tokyo,he died of anintracranial hemorrhage.His grave is at theTama CemeteryinFuchū, Tokyo.

See also

• Nakajima Aircraft Company
• Subaru Corporation(the successor to his original company, it was known as Fuji Heavy Industries until 2017)

References

• Gunston, Bill.World encyclopaedia of aircraft manufacturers: from the pioneers to the present day.Naval Institute Press (1993)ISBN1-55750-939-5
• Mikesh Robert C.Japanese aircraft 1910-1941.Putnam Aeronautical Books, University of Michigan (1990)ISBN0-85177-840-2
• Nicolaou, Stephane.Flying Boats and Seaplanes: A History from 1905.MBI (1998)ISBN0-7603-0621-4

External links

• Chikuhei NakajimaatFind a Grave