Hideki Tojo

Hideki Tojo's family roots run deep in the Samurai tradition, though by his time, their swords were mostly ceremonial. He rose through the ranks of the Imperial Japanese Army, becoming a strong proponent of aggressive expansionism, which, surprisingly, did not endear him to the international community. His political career mirrored his military one, marked by a penchant for consolidation of power and a less-than-stellar track record on human rights. Some might say he had a very "my way or the highway" approach, except the highway was often paved with the suffering of millions.

During his tenure as Prime Minister, Tojo became the de facto dictator of Japan, making all the big decisions and quite a few small ones too, probably. His leadership style was less about consensus and more about "I said so." He’s most famously associated with the attack on Pearl Harbor, which, while a bold strategic move, ultimately invited the kind of global attention Japan probably didn't want.

As the war turned, Tojo’s grip on power began to slip, much like Japan's chances of victory. He eventually resigned as Prime Minister, leaving behind a legacy that is, shall we say, complicated. After Japan's surrender, he was arrested, tried by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, and sentenced to death for war crimes.

So, to recap: not Jewish, no known Jewish ancestry, and definitely no "kvell" for this guy. His policies were, frankly, the opposite of kvell-worthy, unless you consider orchestrating a global conflict a point of pride, which we don't.