Transcript
Lindsey Graham (0:00)
There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad free. Listen with Wondry plus in the Wondery app as a member of Noiser plus at noiser.com or in Apple Podcasts. Or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history podcasts@intohristory.com it's just after 5:30pm on May 15, 1932, at the official residence of the Prime Minister of Japan in Tokyo. 75 year old Inokai Tsuyoshi bounces his infant grandchild on his knee, smiling at the girl's innocent laughter. It's a refreshing change to the sound of arguing voices that dominated the cabinet meeting he chaired earlier today. Tsuyoshi has only been Prime Minister for five months, but it's already become difficult. Tsuyoshi's political party doesn't have a majority in the Japanese parliament, so he has a diverse set of ministers from different parties who rarely agree on anything. On top of that, Japan is dealing with economic uncertainty and an increase in violent nationalism. But now, with his daughter in law cooking him dinner in the adjoining kitchen, Tsuyoshi gets to enjoy himself. He tickles his granddaughter under her arm, but the laughter is interrupted by the sound of the single gunshot from the floor below. Tsuyoshi rises from his chair and quickly locks the door to the apartment as his daughter in law hurries in from the kitchen, her face pale. Tsuyoshi hands her the baby and gestures for them both to be quiet. Then Tsuyoshi puts his ear to the door and strains to hear what's happening on the other side. There are footsteps heading up the stairs toward them. A second gunshot rings out from just behind the door and Tsuyoshi jumps back. The door handle rattles, then someone tries to break down the door. Tsuyoshi's grandchild begins to scream. The door finally gives way and Tsuyoshi steps in front of his daughter in law and grandchild as armed men in military uniforms burst into the room. Inukai Tsuyoshi won't need to guess who the intruders are. With guns drawn, they reveal their identities as nationalist members of the Japanese Imperial army and Navy. Then they announce their to overthrow democracy and return Japan to what they see as its glorious past, and their revolution will begin with the prime minister's death on May 15, 1932. History Daily is sponsored by Express Pros. Managing your workforce can be exhausting, and if you're tired of a costly and lengthy hiring process, simplify and speed up your recruitment with one connection the experts at Express Employment Professionals Run Reduce Time to Hire, Cut down on interviews and lower your recruitment costs. Visit ExpressPros.com today. Express is more efficient than hiring on your own. Check out ExpressPros.com to see how Express employment professionals can take care of your hiring history. Daily is sponsored by a Truby. Lately you may have been hearing about a serious but rare heart condition called attr Cardiac Amyloidosis or attrcm. Because symptoms can be similar to other heart conditions, it may take time to be diagnosed, but learning more about ATTRCM and treatment called Atruby, also called Acharamatis, could be important for you or a loved one. Atruby is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with ATTRCM to reduce death and hospitalization due to heart issues. In one study, people taking Atrube saw an impact on their health related quality of life and 50% fewer hospitalizations due to heart issues than people who didn't take Atruby, giving you more chances to do what you love with who you love. Tell your doctor if you're pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding and about the medications you take. The most common side effects were mild and included diarrhea and abdominal pain. If you have attrcm, talk to your cardiologist about atruby or visit attruby.com that's a T T R U B Y dot com to learn more from Noiser and Airship I'm Lindsey Graham and this is history. History is made every day on this podcast. Every day we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is May 15, 1932, the assassination of Japan's Prime Minister. It's May 14, 1932 in Tokyo, Japan. One day before armed intruders break into the official residence of the Country's Prime Minister, 43 year old actor and filmmaker Charlie Chaplin steps off the train at Tokyo Station and waves to a cheering crowd. Hundreds of adoring fans have gathered on the platform, all hungry for a glimpse of the Hollywood icon. On his first visit to Japan, Chaplin has come to Tokyo to promote his latest movie, City Lights. Like the rest of Chaplin's work, City Lights is a silent film and with no English dialogue, only music and sound effects. There aren't any language barriers stopping people from around the world enjoying Chaplin's performances. So now he's seeing firsthand just how far his fame has spread. As one of the leading stars of the silver screen, Chaplin is used to attention, but the number of people waiting to see him in Tokyo is something else. When Chaplin finally makes it past the fans inside the station. He's greeted by thousands more. Outside, Chaplin poses for photos as Tokyo police officers struggle to hold back the enormous crowd. It's all a bit bewildering because before arriving in Tokyo Chaplin had heard conflicting reports about how he might be received because outsiders aren't always welcome in the Japan of the 1930s. Over the past 60 years, Japan has undergone a dramatic transformation. Beginning in the late 19th century under the rule of a new emperor. What was once a feudal agrarian society has become a modern, industrialized nation with a parliament and a prime minister. It was quickly covered by railroads and huge factories belching smoke into the sky. But alongside these political and economic reforms there was also rapid expansion of Japan's military. Conflict with regional rivals like Russia and China followed. And a string of victories helped build a new Japanese empire. And Japan's Imperial army and Navy are now more powerful than ever. They operate almost independently of the civilian government and they are eager for future wars of conquest. This militarism is encouraged by many ordinary people. The Great Depression has hit Japan hard, damaging faith in mainstream politics. Nationalism is increasingly popular fueled by the widespread belief that the Japanese are a superior race with one that deserves a mighty empire. Charlie Chaplin has been told that Japanese nationalists hate the west and nothing embodies American capitalism quite like a big Hollywood movie star. That's made both Chaplin and Tokyo's authorities nervous in case Chaplin's visit sparks disorder. But it seems that the large police presence on the streets of Tokyo is doing its job. Chaplin certainly doesn't feel unwelcome or unsafe. And after making his way through the throng of admirers to his hotel Chaplin asks if he can explore the city. Soon after, he's smuggled out of a back door to avoid the crowds still milling outside. And he's taken on a brief tour. First, Chaplin visits the Imperial Palace. He doesn't have an audience with the emperor but it doesn't stop him from honoring the Japanese custom of bowing to the building with the emperor inside. Next, Chaplain and his guide have dinner at a local restaurant. But when Chaplin sits down to sample some traditional Japanese dishes he's interrupted by six young men. To Chaplin, they seem skittish and nervous as they step up to the table. Then what seems to be the ringleader pulls out a handful of lewd paintings and asks Chaplin if he wants to buy them. Chaplin refuses. But the strangers grow increasingly aggressive. Sensing danger, Chaplin reaches into his pocket as if to grab for a weapon that seems to scare the men off. And Chaplin can finish his meal in peace. Afterwards, he sets out to enjoy more of what Tokyo has to offer, but the encounter in the restaurant has him on edge. Perhaps Japan is not as safe as he thought. He returns to his hotel late that evening, and when he arrives, Chaplin is handed a message. It's an invitation to dine with the Japanese Prime Minister, Inuka Tsuyoshi. Chaplin recognizes what a great honor it is, and he immediately sends a reply that saying he'd love to join the Prime Minister for dinner. But Chaplin's plans will change the following day. Tsuyoshi's son will invite Chaplin to watch a sumo wrestling tournament instead. And this last minute change will save Charlie Chaplin's life because at the same time the chaplain is watching the sumo wrestlers. Revolutionaries will storm the Prime Minister's residence determined to kill Inuka Tatsuyoshi.