Culture

September 29 — Japan's Historical Highlights

September 28, 2026

On September 29, 1331, Emperor Go-Daigo fled to Mount Kasagi during the Genkō War, and in 1943, the Tokyo District Court sentenced spy Richard Sorge and his associates to death, marking significant moments in Japanese history.

Emperor Go-Daigo's Flight to Mount Kasagi in 1331 On September 29, 1331 (Genkō 1), during the Genkō War aiming to overthrow the Kamakura shogunate, Emperor Go-Daigo moved to Kasagi-yama in Kasagi town, Kyoto Prefecture. This act demonstrated his resistance against the shogunate and led to prolonged conflicts that shaped Japan’s medieval era. Visitors from abroad interested in Japanese history may find a trip to Kasagi meaningful when understanding this event.

1943 Death Sentence in the Sorge Spy Case In 1943, the Tokyo District Court issued the death penalty for Richard Sorge and his co-conspirator Ozaki Hotsumi, Soviet spies active during World War II. The Sorge incident profoundly affected Japan’s wartime intelligence and security apparatus. Learning about this case while in Japan offers insight into the complex political and military environment of that time.