Supreme War Council (Japan)

Supreme War Council (Japan)

The Supreme War Council (Gunji sangikan kaigi 軍事参議官会議) 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 (1838–1922), a Chōshū native who has been credited with the founding of the modern Japanese army and was to become the first constitutional prime minister. The Supreme War Council developed a German-style general staff system with a chief of staff who had direct access to the emperor and who could operate independently of the army minister and civilian officials. The Supreme War Council was the de facto inner cabinet of Japan prior to the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Read more about Supreme War Council (Japan):  Liaison Conference, Supreme Council For The Direction of The War

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