Supreme War Council (Japan)

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