I need a name of a Japanese officer that visited Germany

I watched a history/discovery channel show a while ago about Japan and the whole Second Russian Front idea and other Japanese/Nazi collaboration. The one takeaway I wanted to look further into was a Japanese officer that did a little tour or visit of Nazi Germany that included some tactical discussions of the Russian Army and German tactics and was going to return home to advocate attacking Russia instead of the US...or at least before the US. However upon this guy's return to Japan he was reassigned by a superior to be stationed in Manchuria or China -Kind of a school-of-thought rivalry thing. This would have been between 1939 and early 1941 at the latest...probably early/mid '40.

I don't remember the guy's name, or the superior that reassigned him. I don't remember the program I watched or even for sure what channel I caught it on. I'd like the "touring" Japanese soldier's name, though.

I know this is a wealth of information to go on, and this must be an impressive post. Thanks for any help, I'll try and write this kind of thing down next time.

 

I never saw the program you are mentioning, but maybe General Tomoyoki Yamashita? I ask that because between early 1940 - 1941 Yamashita was Head of Japanese Military Mission to Berlin & Rome, and had also commanded in Manchuria, Korea, Malaya, and back to Manchuria before being transferred to the "last gasp" defense of the Philippines in 1944-45.

And he and Togo had a major falling out, and that was why he was transferred to the "back-water" of Manchuria after his success in Malaya to command the Kwantung Defence Army in 1942 where he remained until transferred to the Philippines.

 

That sounds spot on. I'll look into it.

Man you guys are good. Even if this isn't right you at least sound like you know what you're talking about.