Rensuke Isogai
Rensuke Isogai (Japanese: 磯谷廉介, Isogai Rensuke) (1886 - 1967) was a General of the Japanese Army in the World War II period. He was the first Japanese Governor of Hong Kong from February 20, 1942 to December 24, 1944.
Military Career
- 1925-1928 - Attached to the General Staff
- 1928 - Temporarily Attached to 6th Division
- 1928 - Attached to 3rd Division
- 1928 - 1930Commanding Officer 7th Regiment
- 1930 - 1938Chief of Staff 1st Division
- 1931 - 1932 Chief of 2nd Section, Inspectorate-General of Military Training
- 1932 - 1933 Attached to Ministry of War
- 1932 - Chief of Assignments Section, Personnel Burea, Ministry of War
- 1933 - 1935 Head of 2nd Bureau, General Staff
- 1935 - Military Attaché to China
- 1936 - 1937 Head of Military Affairs Bureau, Ministry of War
- 1937 - 1938 General Officer Commanding 10th Division, China
- 1938 - 1939 Chief of Staff Kwantung Army
- 1939 - Attached to the General Staff; later retired
- 1942 - Recalled to duty
- 1942 - 1944 Governor-General of Hong Kong
- 1944 - Retired as Governor General and returned to Japan
Head of Occupying Forces in Hong Kong
While he was much hated by many older generations of Hong Kong people, Isogai did introduce an important element of Hong Kong life during his tenure: Sunday Horseracing. Sunday horseracing is now a very important part of Hong Kong culture, in which thousands participate. Also, Isogai was responsible for the addition of Japanese elements of architecture on the facade of the Hong Kong Government House.
The General was arrested in 1945 and tried as a war criminal in 1947. He was condemned to life imprisonment as war criminal, but released from prison in 1952 and died in 1967.
See also
| Preceded by: 'Takashi Sakai' and Masaichi Niimi (Heads of Japanese Occupation Forces in Hong Kong) | Japanese Governor of Hong Kong Head of Japanese Occupation Forces in Hong Kong 1942 - 1944 | Succeeded by: Hisaichi Tanaka |
Categories
1886 births | 1967 deaths | Imperial Japanese Navy officers | History of Hong Kong