This is the first of a three-part series about the life and diplomatic theories of Hitoshi Ashida, who was president and editor-in-chief of The Japan Times from 1933 to 1939, based on his recently published diary.
On Jan. 23, 1933, lawmaker Hitoshi Ashida stood up to deliver a speech in the House of Representatives. It was a fateful day for the diplomat-turned-politician, who would later become prime minister.