Inaba Youji

Inaba Youji (稲場 耀司) was a highly-decorated Field Marshal in the Yamatai Imperial Army during the Second Escar-Varunan War. Commanding various key units throughout the war, Inaba oversaw some of the Imperial Army's most important battles during the war and is widely recognised as a tactical and strategic expert. One of the most highly-decorated soldiers of Yamatai, Inaba is also considered a national hero in Yamatai.

Born in a poor peasant family in Kobayashi, Yamashiro, Inaba was conscripted into the Yamatai Imperial Army and fought in the First Escar-Varunan War. Gradually rising through the ranks, by 1937 Inaba was in command of the South-West Army District in the New Territories. He was subsequently put in command of Army Group South, which was tasked with advancing northwards through Enokaji and on to Eito, with the entire unit quickly becoming considered an elite force following the victory at Enokaji. Upon the partial capture of Eito, Imperial Grand Marshal Tsukiyama considered installing Inaba as the short-lived Governor-General of Chisei, though he never assumed office and the office was dissolved one month after. Inaba was later involved in the Third Battle of Wanshu, after which he was recalled to Heian to assume position as the Chief Army Strategist.

Towards the end of the war, Inaba became a vocal proponent of the end of the war, and led the peace-seeking faction within the Imperial Army to petition Empress Kiyono to end the war. Following this, they escaped on the Battleship Senbonzakura to meet with the Chiseians in order to sign a ceasefire.

However, after the war he became sidelined by the power struggles and became little more than a propaganda icon, which frustrated him. He was made the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Army for some time, after which he retired from the military and attempted to enter politics.

During the Okabe democratisation, Inaba unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Yamashiro on an independent platform. During this period, he wrote several books about the war, military leadership, and military strategy. In the 1962 election, he contested for Prime Minister as a DPY candidate but did not gain much support and withdrew his campaign. Inaba died in 1974 after collapsing in his estate in Kobayashi, with lung cancer being the prime cause of his death.

Personal life
Inaba was known to be close to a certain Chiseian general, and regularly played a game of go by post for years leading up to the war. Following the war, Inaba and his friend resumed the game.