Kiichiro Hiranuma was born in Japan in 1887. An extreme nationalist he served as minister of justice and president of the privy council. He succeeded Fumimaro Kondoye as prime minister in January 1939 but the government only lasted until August.

After the Second World War Hiranuma was arrested and charged with war crimes. Found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment, Kiichiro Hiranuma died in August 1952.