A member of Tojo Hideki’s government, he was increasingly opposed to Japan’s policies later in World War II. Imprisoned in 1945, he was released without trial. Elected to the Japanese House of Representatives (1953), he emerged as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, becoming Prime Minister in 1957. In foreign affairs he aimed to ease tensions with neighbouring Asian countries, while encouraging the US–Japanese link. His domestic policy was conservative, especially in education and over law and order. He resigned in 1960, following a riot within the Japanese Diet building, allegedly over his revised Japan–United States Security Treaty.