On May 15, 1932 (Showa 7), a group of naval officers influenced by nationalists assassinated the prime minister since they believed they could change the politics by throwing out current government leaders (1). This is called the 5•15 incident.

On February 26, 1936 (Showa 11), a young army officer leading a unit attacked the prime minister and other ministers, temporarily occupying the center of Tokyo. This is called the 2•26 incident.

Using these incidents, the military strengthened the influence of the government. Then, after the Manchurian incident the munitions industry and economy recovered, so people supporting the military increased and militaristic ideas that would strengthen the country through war, spread.

Violations for thoughts against militarism became severe, and according to the Maintenance of the Public Order Act, liberalists, religious leaders, and various people were oppressed (2).

1 After that, either a soldier or bureaucrat would become prime minister of the cabinet. And so, party politics, which went on since 1924, was over in only 8 years.

2 Until the defeat (1945), 75,000 people were arrested in violation of the Maintenance of the Public Order Act.