Who became Japan’s first prime minister after the 1945 surrender?

Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni became Japan’s first prime minister after the 1945 surrender.

Higashikuni formed a government on 17 August 1945, two days after Emperor Hirohito’s public announcement of surrender. He was a member of the Japanese imperial family and a career army officer. His appointment came during the transition from wartime government to the Allied occupation.

His cabinet’s immediate challenges included implementing the surrender, demobilizing Japan’s armed forces, managing food shortages, and dealing with the arrival of Allied occupation authorities. General Douglas MacArthur became Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and directed the occupation through the Japanese government.

Higashikuni’s ministry lasted only 54 days. He resigned on 9 October 1945 after disagreement with occupation authorities over political reforms, including the removal of restrictions on civil liberties. He was succeeded by Kijuro Shidehara. Higashikuni is sometimes confused with postwar prime minister Shigeru Yoshida, who later led Japan during much of the early 1950s.