Inukai

Inukai is a Japanese surname and place name. It is written with the kanji characters for “dog” (犬) and “to foster” or “to maintain” (養). The surname is relatively uncommon and most often encountered in Japan. Inukai has historical prominence due to notable individuals bearing the name.

The most widely known bearer is Inukai Tsuyoshi, a Japanese statesman who served as Prime Minister of Japan in the early 1930s and was assassinated in 1932 amid political turmoil. His tenure and death are frequently cited in discussions of prewar Japanese politics and the shift toward militarism that culminated in World War II.

Beyond individuals, Inukai also appears as a place name in Japan, used for various geographical designations such as towns or districts in different prefectures. As a toponym, it reflects the common practice of reusing surname-derived place names across regions.

Inukai, as a reference, thus covers both a family name with historical significance and several geographic usages within Japan. The name is primarily of Japanese origin and is encountered in historical, cultural, and local contexts.