1. Early Life and Education
Munenori Akagi was born on December 2, 1904, in Ueno Village, Makabe District, Ibaraki Prefecture, which is now part of Chikusei City. His family were hereditary Nanushi (village headmen). Akagi lost his father, Yasusuke, at a young age and was raised by his mother, Mume, and his grandfather, Kihachiro.
He attended the old system Shimotsuma Junior High School and then the old system Mito High School. In 1927, he graduated from the Faculty of Law (specifically, the Department of Law) at Tokyo Imperial University (now Tokyo University).
2. Political Career
Akagi's political career spanned several decades, during which he held various important roles in both local and national government, including key cabinet positions and leadership roles within the Liberal Democratic Party.
2.1. Pre-War Political Beginnings
Akagi began his public service at the local level, becoming the mayor of his home village, Ueno Village, in 1931, a position he held until 1945. He also served as a member of the Ibaraki Prefectural Assembly from 1935 to 1944.
In 1937, he successfully ran for and was first elected to the House of Representatives in the 20th general election. However, his victory was short-lived; in 1938, his election was invalidated by a court ruling due to excessive campaign spending. Despite this setback, he was re-elected to the House of Representatives in the 1942 general election, known as the Imperial Rule Assistance Election, receiving the recommendation of the Imperial Rule Assistance Political Association. After his re-election, Akagi was associated with the Kokoku Doshikai (National Protection Comrades Association), a political faction led by Nobusuke Kishi, and later became involved with the Nihon Kyodoto (Japan Cooperative Party).
2.2. Post-War Purge and Re-entry
Following Japan's defeat in World War II, Munenori Akagi was subjected to a Public Office Purge by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) due to his perceived support for Japanese militarism during the war. This purge temporarily removed him from public life.
During Akagi's absence from politics, his wife, Hisa Akagi, stepped into the political arena. In the 1947 first unified local elections, she successfully ran for Ueno Village Mayor, becoming one of three women across the country who became village mayors after their husbands were purged. Hisa Akagi was re-elected in 1951 and continued to serve until Ueno Village merged into a larger municipality and was abolished in 1954.
After the lifting of the public purge, Munenori Akagi returned to politics, winning back his old Diet seat in the 1952 general election as a candidate for the Liberal Party. In 1954, he left the Liberal Party to join the Japan Democratic Party led by Ichirō Hatoyama, a move aimed at challenging the Shigeru Yoshida administration. With the Conservative merger in 1955, Akagi joined the newly formed Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), where he became affiliated with the Nobusuke Kishi faction.
2.3. Cabinet and Ministerial Appointments
Munenori Akagi held several crucial ministerial positions throughout his political career, contributing significantly to agricultural policy and national defense.
2.3.1. Minister of Agriculture
Akagi served as Minister of Agriculture for three separate tenures, playing a significant role in agricultural policy and international negotiations. His first appointment was in the First Nobusuke Kishi Cabinet (reshuffled), from July 1957 to June 1958. During this period, he engaged in intense "100-day fishery negotiations" with Soviet Fisheries Minister Ishkov, which resulted in a compromise regarding salmon fishing rights in the Sea of Okhotsk in 1958. This experience fostered his later involvement as Chairman of the Japan-Soviet Friendship Association.
His second tenure as Minister of Agriculture spanned from July 1963 to June 1965, serving across the Second and Third Hayato Ikeda Cabinets and the First Eisaku Satō Cabinet. In 1965, he was dispatched to the Soviet Union to negotiate a modus vivendi concerning fishing rights around the disputed southern Kuril Islands, demonstrating his diplomatic capabilities in resolving complex international issues.
Akagi's final appointment as Minister of Agriculture occurred in the Third Eisaku Satō Cabinet (reshuffled), from July 1971 to July 1972. In 1971, he was once again sent to Moscow by Prime Minister Satō to address a new dispute over crab fishing rights in the Sea of Okhotsk. The intricate negotiation centered on whether crabs were considered stationary seabed creatures, falling under Soviet continental shelf jurisdiction and thus banning Japanese fishermen, or mobile aquatic organisms, which would permit Japanese fishing. These negotiations highlighted the challenges of international resource management and his persistent efforts to protect Japanese interests.
2.3.2. Chief Cabinet Secretary
Akagi served as Chief Cabinet Secretary in the Second Nobusuke Kishi Cabinet from June 1958 to June 1959. In this capacity, he held a central role in coordinating government policy and managing the administration's public relations.
2.3.3. Director General of the Japan Defense Agency and the Anpo Protests
Akagi was appointed the 11th Director General of the Japan Defense Agency (now the Ministry of Defense) in the Second Nobusuke Kishi Cabinet (reshuffled), serving from June 1959 to July 1960. His tenure coincided with the height of the massive Anpo protests in 1960, which saw widespread public demonstrations against the revised U.S.-Japan Security Treaty.
At a critical juncture during the protests, with tens of thousands of demonstrators surrounding the National Diet daily, Prime Minister Kishi considered deploying the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) to forcibly suppress the unrest. However, as the responsible minister, Akagi strongly opposed this proposal. He famously argued that "the Self-Defense Forces should not become the enemy of the people," emphasizing the paramount importance of civilian safety and democratic principles. His firm and principled stance against using military force on Japanese citizens averted a potentially violent escalation and is widely recognized as a crucial intervention that highlighted his commitment to human rights and democratic values, ultimately contributing to Prime Minister Kishi's resignation.
2.4. Roles within the Liberal Democratic Party
Beyond his ministerial duties, Munenori Akagi held significant leadership positions within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), influencing party policy and internal dynamics.
In 1961, he became the 8th General Council Chairman of the LDP, serving until 1963 under the administration of Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda. During this period, Akagi played a pivotal role in shaping the LDP's internal legislative review process. He notably sent a letter to then-Chief Cabinet Secretary Masayoshi Ōhira, requesting that all proposed legislation be formally discussed and approved by the LDP General Council before being submitted for Cabinet approval. Ōhira accepted this proposition, establishing a system that ensured the ruling party's consensus on government bills. This system remained a core feature of LDP policy-making for many years until its eventual abolition by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
Akagi also served as the 13th Policy Research Council Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party from 1965 to 1966, during Eisaku Satō's premiership. In this capacity, he oversaw the party's policy development and research initiatives.
His factional affiliations evolved over his career. Initially a member of the Nobusuke Kishi faction, he famously broke away in 1962. After Kishi indicated his intention to hand over leadership of the faction to Takeo Fukuda, Akagi vehemently opposed the move. He, along with Shōjirō Kawashima and Etsusaburo Shiina, formed their own faction known as the Kawashima faction (Kōyū Club), thereby breaking ties with Kishi. Following Kawashima's death, Shiina inherited the faction. After the dissolution of the Shiina faction, Akagi eventually joined the Miki faction, which later became known as the Kohmoto faction. In addition to these roles, he also held positions as the Vice Secretary General of the LDP and Chairman of the LDP Ibaraki Prefectural Federation.
3. Other Professional Activities
Munenori Akagi's contributions extended beyond his extensive political career, encompassing roles in education and academia.
3.1. Educator
Akagi dedicated a significant portion of his life to education. He served as the principal of Kasumigaura High School from 1956 until his retirement in 1990, a tenure of 34 years. Concurrently, from 1956 to 1967, he also held the position of Board Chairman for the Kasumigaura High School educational corporation. His long-standing leadership in these roles highlights his profound commitment to fostering the intellectual and personal development of students in the region.
3.2. Historian
A scholar of medieval Japan, Munenori Akagi was a recognized historian who contributed to academic discourse through his research and publications. His primary area of focus was the life and times of the 10th-century samurai warrior Taira no Masakado. Akagi authored several books on the subject, demonstrating his deep engagement with Japanese history.
4. Later Life and Retirement
Munenori Akagi's long parliamentary career concluded in his later years. After serving continuously for many terms, he lost his seat in the 1976 general election. However, he successfully made a comeback to national politics, being re-elected in the 1979 general election.
He eventually retired from politics in 1990, choosing not to contest the general election of that year. Upon his retirement, his electoral district was succeeded by his grandson, Norihiko Akagi, who was then a bureaucrat within the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Munenori Akagi died on November 11, 1993, at the age of 88. In recognition of his extensive public service, he was posthumously honored with the court rank of Junior Third Rank (Sho Sanmi) and was granted a silver cup.
5. Works
Munenori Akagi authored a number of books and scholarly works, primarily on Japanese history and agriculture:
- Sono Go (その後, "After That", 1938)
- Nampōken o Miru (南方圏を視る, "Viewing the Southern Sphere", co-authored with Chōji Hase, 1941)
- Papua no Nōgyō Kensetsu New Guinea Kaihatsu no Hōshin (パプアの農業建設 ニューギニア開発の方針, "Agricultural Construction in Papua: Policy for New Guinea Development", 1943)
- Kunō suru Nōson: Nōgyō Mondai Kanken (苦悩する農村 農業問題管見, "Suffering Rural Villages: A Personal View on Agricultural Issues", 1953)
- Waga Hyakushō no Ki (わが百姓の記, "My Farmer's Record", 1958)
- Latin America no Tabi yori (ラテン・アメリカの旅より, "From a Trip to Latin America", 1958)
- Taira no Masakado (平将門, 1960, 1970)
- Masakado Ki Shinpukuji-bon Hyōshaku (将門記 真福寺本評釈, "Annotated Edition of Masakado Ki: Shinpukuji Manuscript", 1964)
- Furusato no Kokoro (ふるさとの心, "The Heart of My Homeland", 1966)
- Kisha-seki kara Mita Kokkai Jūnen no Sokumen-shi: Anpo kara Anpo made (記者席からみた国会十年の側面史 安保から安保まで, "Ten Years of Parliament from the Press Gallery: From Anpo to Anpo", co-authored with Takanobu Suzuki, 1969)
- Ano Hi Sono Toki (あの日その時, "That Day, That Time", 1971)
- Masakado Chishi (将門地誌, "Historical Geography of Masakado", 1972)
- Ima Dakara Iu (今だからいう, "What I Say Now", 1973)
- Shoshin Shōgai (初心生涯, "Lifelong Beginner's Mind", 1975)
- Akagi Munenori to Taira no Masakado (赤城宗徳と平将門, "Munenori Akagi and Taira no Masakado", 1976)
- Sugaō no Soren-bō (素顔のソ連邦, "The True Face of the Soviet Union", 1980)
- Nichisō Kankei o Kangaeru: Gekidō no Taishō Shōwa o Ikite (日ソ関係を考える 激動の大正・昭和を生き て, "Considering Japan-Soviet Relations: Living Through the Turbulent Taisho and Showa Eras", 1982)
- Watashi no Taira no Masakado (私の平将門, "My Taira no Masakado", 1983)
- Waga Hyakushō no Ki: Nihon no Nōgyō to Nōson o Omou (わが百姓の記 日本の農業と農村を想う, "My Farmer's Record: Thoughts on Japanese Agriculture and Rural Villages", 1985)
6. Family
Munenori Akagi was part of a family with notable connections in public service and media.
His spouse was Hisa Akagi, who famously served as the mayor of Ueno Village after her husband's public purge following World War II. His brother, Masatake Akagi, held a prominent position as the Managing Director for NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation). His grandson, Norihiko Akagi, followed in his footsteps into politics, serving six terms as a member of the House of Representatives and also as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
7. Assessment and Legacy
Munenori Akagi's long and varied career has been subject to both praise for his contributions and scrutiny for certain past affiliations and actions.
7.1. Positive Contributions
Akagi's most significant positive contribution to Japanese democracy was his firm opposition to the deployment of the Japan Self-Defense Forces during the 1960 Anpo protests. As Director General of the Defense Agency, his refusal to use military force against civilian demonstrators prevented potential bloodshed and upheld a crucial principle of civilian control over the military, safeguarding democratic values in a tense political climate. This principled stand is often cited as a key moment where he prioritized the safety and rights of the populace over political pressure.
Throughout his 15 terms in the House of Representatives and multiple cabinet roles, Akagi demonstrated a consistent commitment to public service. His efforts as Minister of Agriculture were particularly impactful in diplomatic negotiations, securing favorable fishery agreements with the Soviet Union through persistent and skilled diplomacy, which benefited Japan's vital fishing industry.
Within the Liberal Democratic Party, his initiative to formalize the LDP General Council's review of government legislation before Cabinet approval contributed to a more structured and consensus-driven approach to policy-making within the ruling party, enhancing the party's influence on national governance. Beyond politics, his decades-long dedication as the principal and board chairman of Kasumigaura High School significantly contributed to education, leaving a lasting impact on countless students. His academic work as a historian, particularly his research on Taira no Masakado, also showcased his intellectual contributions outside the political sphere.
7.2. Controversies and Critiques
Munenori Akagi's career was not without controversy. Early in his political life, his initial election to the House of Representatives in 1937 was invalidated due to excessive campaign spending. This incident raised questions about his adherence to electoral regulations and ethical practices in political campaigns.
Furthermore, his political activities during World War II led to significant repercussions. His affiliations with wartime political bodies, such as receiving a recommendation from the Imperial Rule Assistance Political Association for his 1942 re-election and his membership in the Kokoku Doshikai, were viewed critically by the post-war Allied occupation authorities. Consequently, he was subjected to a Public Office Purge by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP), specifically for supporting Japanese militarism during the war. This period in his career highlights his association with the authoritarian and nationalistic currents that prevailed in Japan during the wartime era.
8. Honors and Awards
Munenori Akagi received several prestigious honors and awards throughout his distinguished career and posthumously:
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (勲一等旭日大綬章, Kun'ittō Kyokujitsu Daijushō) in Spring 1975.
- Dark Blue Ribbon Medal (紺綬褒章, Konju Hōshō) on February 12, 1966, in recognition of his donation of 100.00 K JPY towards the construction of the Shimotsuma Citizens' Hall.
- Lifetime Member of the House of Representatives (衆議院永年在職議員).
- Junior Third Rank (正三位, Sho Sanmi), awarded posthumously on the day of his death, November 11, 1993, along with a silver cup.
- He also held the academic degree of Bachelor of Law (法学士).