Supreme War Council (Japan)

The Supreme War Council (軍事参議院, Gunji sangiin) was an advisory body to the Emperor of Japan on military matters, established in 1903 and abolished in 1945. The council was created during the development of representative government in Meiji-era Japan to further strengthen the authority of the state. Its first leader was Yamagata Aritomo (1838–1922), who is credited as founder of the modern Imperial Japanese Army and was the first constitutional Prime Minister of Japan.

The Supreme War Council developed a German-style general staff system, with a chief of staff who had direct access to the Emperor and who could operate independently of the army minister and civilian officials. The Supreme War Council was the de facto inner cabinet of Japan prior to the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Towards the end of the second World War, on August 9/10, 1945 the six members of the Supreme War Council were:

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