Gentaro Kodama

Count Gentaro Kodama (1852-1907), from a samurai family of the Chosu Clan, was an officer of the Imperial Japanese Army as well as a government official.

He took his military training in Germany, and became vice-minister of the Army, in the Meiji era, in 1892. In 1900, he also became governor-general of Formosa, simultaneously holding the Army Ministry.

As the Russo-Japanese War approached, he took what was perceived as a lower-status post as vice chief of staff, and then served as chief of staff to Field Marshal Iwao Oyama, in which post he was considered the key planner.

After the war, he rose quickly through the ranks of baron, viscount, and count. He died suddenly after having briefly been Chief of Staff.