| Sakaguchi Kiichiro | |
| Native Name: | 阪口喜一郎 |
| Native Name Lang: | ja |
| Birth Date: | January 1902 |
| Birth Place: | Izumi, Osaka Prefecture, Empire of Japan |
| Death Date: | December 1933 |
| Death Place: | Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Empire of Japan |
| Spouse: | Umeko |
| Party: | Japanese Communist Party |
was a Japanese anti-war activist and a sailor in the Imperial Japanese Navy. During his service, he was active in anti-war activity.[1]
Sakaguchi Kiichiro was born in January 1902 in Izumi, Osaka Prefecture. After graduating from high school, he joined the Marine Corps. In 1930, he organized the Social Science Research Society within the Navy.[2] At some point he married a woman named Umeko.[3]
Sakaguchi joined the Communist Party of Japan in 1931. In response to the Japanese Invasion of Manchuria in 1931, and the Japanese Invasion of Shanghai in 1932, Sakaguchi launched the anti-war newspaper "Soaring Mast" in February 1932. Six issues were produced and distributed.[4]
Kiichiro Sakaguchi was arrested by Japanese authorities in Tokyo on November 15th, 1933. Kiichiro would be held in the Kure Military Police Detention Center before being transferred to Hiroshima Prison. In Hiroshima Prison, he was tortured by the Special Higher Police. While in custody, Kiichiro would go on a hunger strike. He died in prison on December 27th, 1933. He was 31 years old.[5]
The Kiichiro Sakaguchi monument was erected in Izumi City, his place of birth.[6] Amongst those who visited the monument was Japanese Communist Party politician Yoshiki Yamashita.[7] On December 7, 2013, a rally was held at the Izumi City Community Center on the 80th anniversary of Sakaguchi's death.[8]