The February 26 Incident, which occurred in Tokyo, was a significant coup attempt by radical military officers. Triggered by a mixture of radical nationalism and dissatisfaction with the political direction of Japan, the uprising specifically targeted government officials perceived to be corrupt or overly influenced by Western powers. Major Kenji Hatanaka, alongside a faction of young army officers, sought to restore a government led by military leaders, which they believed was necessary to address Japan's growing social and economic issues, along with its militaristic ambitions in Asia.

The militant faction took over key government buildings, including the Imperial Palace, and also assassinated several high-ranking officials. The chaos was met with mixed responses; while some military leaders supported the coup, others quickly opposed it. Within a few days, government loyalists began to mobilize, leading to fierce skirmishes in the streets of Tokyo. The coup was ultimately quashed by forces loyal to the Emperor and the established government by the end of February. Government reprisals included summary executions and major purges within the military ranks.

In the wake of the coup's failure, there was a concerted effort by the Japanese government to centralize military power, which further aligned the military with the nationalist ideology that would characterize Japan's expansionist policies leading up to World War II. The incident is often seen as a pivotal moment that highlighted the tensions within Japan's military and political structures, setting the stage for the militarism that would dominate the country during the wartime years that followed.