technologies, such as microwaves, for potential military applications. Iwakuro, unlike many in the Japanese Army senior staff, was always strongly against war with the Soviet Union (Hokushin-ron) and was conversely a strong proponent of the Nanshin-ron philosophy as were many senior offices in the Imperial Japanese Navy. With the defeat of the Japanese Army at Nomonhan Iwakuro became more outspoken in favor of the concept of a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere and the need for Japan to prepare for total war. Diplomat Iwakuro was sent as military attaché to the United States in 1941 over the objections of Foreign Minister Yōsuke Matsuoka. However, the Army's position was that Matsuoka was too inexperienced in foreign affairs, and needed additional training. Iwakuro was a close adviser of Japanese ambassador Admiral Kichisaburō Nomura in the Washington negotiations just before the outbreak of the Pacific War. He was withdrawn after the formation of a new cabinet under Hideki Tōjō in August 1941, and was named Commanding Officer of the 5th Imperial Guards Regiment. But, according to John Toland, The Rising Sun, volume one, page 85, "The former (previous sentence referenced Matsuoka) suggested that Ikawa sound out the army in the person of an influential colonel in the War Ministry named Hideo Iwakuro. Command and Staff appointments After the start of the Pacific War, the 5th Imperial Guards Regiment came under the command of the Southern Expeditionary Army Group, and was assigned to Malaya and Singapore. While in Singapore, Iwakuro became head of the I Kikan, and was senior liaison officer with the Indian National Army. In 1943, Iwakuro was promoted to Vice Chief of Staff of the Twenty-Fifth Army. He subsequently became Chief of Staff of the Twenty-Eighth Army in Burma in 1944-5. Recalled to Japan before the end of the war, Iwakuro was attached to Army Ordnance Administrative Headquarters in 1945, and was Head of Army Investigation Department at the time of the end of the war. After the war, in 1965, Iwakuro became one of the founders of the Kyoto Sangyo University. He died in 1970 of a heart attack. References Books External links Notes 1897 births 1970 deaths People from Kure, Hiroshima Japanese generals Japanese spies Japanese military personnel of World War II Indian National Army Military personnel from Hiroshima Prefecture