Rikizō Hirano (平野 力三, Hirano Rikizō; 5 November 1898 – 17 December 1981) was a Japanese farmers’ movement activist and politician. He held the rank of Junior Third Rank. Originally a national socialist, he later became a leader of the anti-capitalist, anti-fascist and anti-communist farmers’ movement. Known as a “political schemer” for his involvement in the founding of numerous parties, he continued as a member of the House of Representatives after the war and served as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry in the Katayama Cabinet. His elder brother was Hirano Masukichi. His wife, Shigeko Hirano, was a member of the House of Councillors for the Japan Socialist Party. Their second daughter, Yoshiko Hirano, became the second wife of the impresario Akira Jin (known as a “yobiyā”). Their third daughter, Teruko Hirano, was active in the Democratic Socialist Party. Saburō Hirano, who served as a Liberal Democratic Party member of the House of Representatives and later as Governor of Gifu Prefecture, was his nephew.
Source: “Rikizō Hirano”, English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0), excerpt
