Okikatsu Arao
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Colonel Okikatsu (Koko) Arao (荒尾 興功, Arao Okikatsu, 18 March 1902 – 22 August 1974) was one of the original plotters in a scheme to prevent the
Conspiracy
Given his relatively high station, Arao acted as the representative of the plotters to some extent, hoping to enlist the aid of
As one of his chief contributions to the coup, Arao drafted an 'Instruction to the Troops' which was to be broadcast to all of Japan's soldiers, encouraging them to keep fighting. This was originally supported and approved by General Anami; however, while he spoke with the War Minister, several of the more rash members of the conspiracy broadcast an earlier, more inflammatory, draft.
The following morning, Arao and the other conspirators met to plot the actual details of their plan to take over the
Though he was one of the original conspirators, Arao in the end turned his back on the coup, and helped write the generals' agreement document stating that those military commanders who signed swore to abide by the Emperor's decision.
Unlike many of the other conspirators, Arao survived through the events of August 15, 1945, and would, many years later, continue to admire General Anami, and the devotion and strength it took to bring the war to an end in the way he did.
See also
- Kenji Hatanaka, the chief conspirator.
References
- Brooks, Lester (1968). "Behind Japan's Surrender: The Secret Struggle That Ended an Empire." New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company.