Learn How to Pronounce Hideki Tojo | YouPronounce.it

How to Pronounce Hideki Tojo

Quick Answer: In Japanese, the name Hideki Tojo is pronounced [çideki toːdʑoː].
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)

Meaning and Context

Hideki Tojo (東條英機) was a Japanese general, statesman, and the 40th Prime Minister of Japan, who held office from October 1941 to July 1944 during the most critical phase of World War II. As the foremost leader of the Empire of Japan, Tojo was the principal architect of militaristic and expansionist policies, directly overseeing the strategic planning and execution of the Pacific War, including the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. His tenure epitomized the dominance of the Imperial Japanese Army in government and the pursuit of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. Following Japan's surrender, Tojo was arrested by Allied authorities, tried by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, and convicted of numerous war crimes. He was executed by hanging in December 1948, cementing his complex legacy as a central figure in Japanese wartime leadership, 20th-century militarism, and the historical narrative of Axis powers and war crimes trials.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard romanization of the name 東條英機 is "Hideki Tojo," following the Hepburn system. The most common alternative spelling arises from different romanization methods, such as "Tōjō Hideki," where the macron indicates a long vowel sound. Frequent misspellings and typos include "Hideki Tojio," "Hideki Toyo," or "Hideki Tojoh," often from misreading the "j" or omitting the macron. Another common error is the misordering of his name as "Tojo Hideki" without proper context, as Western convention typically places the given name first. Confusion can also occur with the similar-sounding name of the automotive company "Toyota." In historical writing, it is important to maintain consistency in spelling to ensure clarity, especially when discussing topics like Japanese prime ministers, World War II Pacific theater command, and the Tokyo Trials.

Example Sentences

Historians often cite Hideki Tojo's consolidation of power as both Prime Minister and Army Minister as a key factor in Japan's unwavering wartime resolve.

During the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, prosecutors presented extensive evidence linking Tojo to decisions that constituted war crimes.

Many scholarly analyses of the Pacific War begin with an examination of Tojo's cabinet and its fateful deliberations in late 1941.

In modern Japan, Tojo remains a controversial and divisive figure, symbolizing the nation's militarist past for some while being honored at the controversial Yasukuni Shrine by others.

His captured personal diary provides a crucial, though subjective, primary source for understanding the inner workings of the Japanese high command.

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