Hideki Tojo, who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 1941 to 1944 and as a senior member of the Imperial Japanese Army from 1935 to 1945 during World War II, passed away on 23 December 1948 at the age of 63. Tojo held both diplomatic and military posts in the Cabinet of Japan and was heavily involved in the actions of Imperial Japan both domestically and internationally. His aggressive stance toward the United States and other allies of Japan led to him being accused of war crimes, for which he was eventually convicted and sentenced to death. His life was marked by intense patriotism and his devotion to the Japanese Empire. Born on 30 December 1884 in Tokyo, Tojo was raised by his father, Hidenori, a general in the Imperial Japanese Army, and his mother, Nakano Yukiko. He graduated from the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in 1905, and would later be appointed Vice War Minister and, in 1941, Prime Minister. During his tenure in office, he established several policies that led to increased militarization and aimed at boosting Japan's international prestige. His aggressive stance led Japan into World War II. Tojo retired from politics in 1944 and was arrested by Allied forces in 1945. He eventually stood trial for war crimes and was executed by hanging in 1948.