Takeo Yasuda
Encyclopedia
was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army
. While serving as director of the Army's Aviation Technology Research Institute during World War II
, he was a key figure in scientific and technological development for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force, most notably his involvement in the early development of a Japanese atom bomb during the early stages of the war.
. After attending military cadet schools as a youth, he graduated from the 21st class of the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in 1909. He specialized primarily in artillery
, and his technical abilities were soon recognized by his superiors, who sponsored him to attend the engineering department of Tokyo Imperial University from 1913-1916.
On his graduation, Yasuda returned to regular military service as a chief Signals officer in the Japanese China Garrison Army
. He was then seconded by the Kwangtung Army to the Inspectorate General of Military Training
and sent to Germany
for further training. On his return, he was appointed Director of Research Department of the Army Signal School between 1932 and 1934. While assigned to the Ministry of War, he served as Chief of Fortifications Section for Military Affairs and Military Administration Bureau until 1937 when he became attached to Army Aeronautical Technical Research Institute. Initially heading the 2nd Bureau, he was also Head of Field Aviation Ordnance at the Japanese Imperial Headquarters before returning to the Institute as director of Army Aeronautical Technical Research, with the rank of major general
by the end of the year.
During the late-1930s, Yasuda became interested in nuclear physics
specifically the potential for large energy releases through nuclear fission
. In April 1940, by then a young army officer rising through the ranks, Lieutenant General
Yasuda ordered Lieutenant Colonel Tatsusaburo Suzuki to prepare a report on the possibilities of developing an atomic weapon. Receiving a favorable report in December, Yasuda passed on this information to the Japan Physical and Chemical Research Institute
who in turn assigned the project to nuclear physicist Yoshio Nishina
.
Between 1942 and 1944, Yasuda was commander of the Tokyo-based IJA 1st Air Army, head of the Army Aeronautical Department and Inspectorate General of Aviation
before being relieved of duty in April 1944. He was a strong advocate of the use of suicidal ramming tactics against American bombers. Serving as a member of the Supreme War Council
during the final years of the war, Yasuda also returned to command of the IJN 1st Air Army as part of the preparations for the final defense of the Japanese home islands against Allied invasion
; however, he retired shortly before the war's end.
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
. While serving as director of the Army's Aviation Technology Research Institute during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he was a key figure in scientific and technological development for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force, most notably his involvement in the early development of a Japanese atom bomb during the early stages of the war.
Biography
Yasuda was a native of Okayama prefectureOkayama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Okayama.- History :During the Meiji Restoration, the area of Okayama Prefecture was known as Bitchū Province, Bizen Province and Mimasaka Province.- Geography :...
. After attending military cadet schools as a youth, he graduated from the 21st class of the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in 1909. He specialized primarily in artillery
Artillery
Originally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
, and his technical abilities were soon recognized by his superiors, who sponsored him to attend the engineering department of Tokyo Imperial University from 1913-1916.
On his graduation, Yasuda returned to regular military service as a chief Signals officer in the Japanese China Garrison Army
Japanese China Garrison Army
The was formed 1 June 1901 as the , as part of Japan's contribution to the international coalition in China during the Boxer Rebellion. It was renamed the China Garrison Army on 14 April 1912.-History:...
. He was then seconded by the Kwangtung Army to the Inspectorate General of Military Training
Inspectorate General of Military Training
The was responsible for all non-military aviation training of the Imperial Japanese Army. It was headed by an Inspector general who was responsible for overseeing technical and tactical training, and who reported directly to the Emperor of Japan via the Imperial General Headquarters rather than to...
and sent to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
for further training. On his return, he was appointed Director of Research Department of the Army Signal School between 1932 and 1934. While assigned to the Ministry of War, he served as Chief of Fortifications Section for Military Affairs and Military Administration Bureau until 1937 when he became attached to Army Aeronautical Technical Research Institute. Initially heading the 2nd Bureau, he was also Head of Field Aviation Ordnance at the Japanese Imperial Headquarters before returning to the Institute as director of Army Aeronautical Technical Research, with the rank of major general
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
by the end of the year.
During the late-1930s, Yasuda became interested in nuclear physics
Nuclear physics
Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies the building blocks and interactions of atomic nuclei. The most commonly known applications of nuclear physics are nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons technology, but the research has provided application in many fields, including those...
specifically the potential for large energy releases through nuclear fission
Nuclear fission
In nuclear physics and nuclear chemistry, nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts , often producing free neutrons and photons , and releasing a tremendous amount of energy...
. In April 1940, by then a young army officer rising through the ranks, Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Yasuda ordered Lieutenant Colonel Tatsusaburo Suzuki to prepare a report on the possibilities of developing an atomic weapon. Receiving a favorable report in December, Yasuda passed on this information to the Japan Physical and Chemical Research Institute
RIKEN
is a large natural sciences research institute in Japan. Founded in 1917, it now has approximately 3000 scientists on seven campuses across Japan, the main one in Wako, just outside Tokyo...
who in turn assigned the project to nuclear physicist Yoshio Nishina
Yoshio Nishina
was the founding father of modern physics research in Japan. He co-authored the well-known Klein–Nishina formula. He was a principal investigator of RIKEN and mentored generations...
.
Between 1942 and 1944, Yasuda was commander of the Tokyo-based IJA 1st Air Army, head of the Army Aeronautical Department and Inspectorate General of Aviation
Inspectorate General of Aviation
The Inspectorate-General of Army Aviation or Inspectorate General of Aviation was a section of the Imperial Japanese Army Aeronautical Department charged with planning and supervision of the training of flying and air maintenance personnel of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service.It was under the...
before being relieved of duty in April 1944. He was a strong advocate of the use of suicidal ramming tactics against American bombers. Serving as a member of the Supreme War Council
Supreme War Council (Japan)
The Supreme War Council was established during the development of representative government in Meiji period Japan to further strengthen the authority of the state. Its first leader was Yamagata Aritomo , a Chōshū native who has been credited with the founding of the modern Japanese army and was to...
during the final years of the war, Yasuda also returned to command of the IJN 1st Air Army as part of the preparations for the final defense of the Japanese home islands against Allied invasion
Operation Downfall
Operation Downfall was the Allied plan for the invasion of Japan near the end of World War II. The operation was cancelled when Japan surrendered after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet Union's declaration of war against Japan. The operation had two parts: Operation...
; however, he retired shortly before the war's end.