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Fumimaro Konoye[fOO´´mEmArO´ kOnOyA´] Pronunciation Key, 1891–1945, Japanese statesman. He was a scion of the ancient Fujiwara noble family. In June, 1937, he accepted the premiership. A former liberal, he now favored increased armament and centralized government control. The National Mobilization Law was passed in Mar., 1938, and in November, Konoye proclaimed Japan's aim of a "new order in East Asia." He resigned in Jan., 1939, but was recalled to the premiership in July, 1940. He concluded an alliance with the Axis and founded (Oct., 1940) the Imperial Rule Assistance Association to replace the political parties. Having failed to reach an agreement with the United States, he resigned in Oct., 1941, to be followed by Hideki Tojo. He was listed for trial as a war criminal but committed suicide in Dec., 1945.
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