Kusuo Kitamura (北村 久寿雄, Kitamura Kusuo; October 9, 1917 – June 6, 1996) was a Japanese swimmer who competed at the 1932…
Kusuo Kitamura (北村 久寿雄, Kitamura Kusuo; October 9, 1917 – June 6, 1996) was a Japanese swimmer who competed at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. Kitamura was born in Kōchi, Japan. Selected as one of the youngest members of the Japanese swimming team in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, he won the gold medal in the Men's 1500 meter freestyle swimming event. He was 14 years and 309 days old at the time, setting a record for youngest ever swimmer to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games. This record lasted until the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea, when Hungarian swimmer Krisztina Egerszegi won the gold in the Women's 200-meter backstroke event. However, Kitamaura still holds the record for the youngest male swimmer. After the 1932 Olympics, Kitamura retired from competitive sports, and eventually graduated from Tokyo Imperial University, and obtained a job at the Japanese Ministry of Labor. He rose through the bureaucratic ranks, eventually becoming a department head, before retiring in 1984 to become a director at Sumitomo Cement.
Famous Japanese People: Bureaucrat
Bureaucrat: 495 people
Yōichi Nakanishi (Japanese: 中西陽一, Hepburn: Nakanishi Yōichi; 23 September 1917 – 2 February 1994) was a Japanese…
Yōichi Nakanishi (Japanese: 中西陽一, Hepburn: Nakanishi Yōichi; 23 September 1917 – 2 February 1994) was a Japanese politician who served as Governor of Ishikawa Prefecture from 1963 until his death in 1994. He holds the records for the most terms served and longest-serving governor in Japan. He was a graduate of Kyoto University and a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. Prior to being elected as a governor, he was a member of the Imperial Japanese Army during the Pacific War.
Nagahisa Kuroda (黒田 長久 Kuroda Nagahisa, 23 November 1916 – 26 February 2009) was a Japanese ornithologist. He wrote…
Nagahisa Kuroda (黒田 長久 Kuroda Nagahisa, 23 November 1916 – 26 February 2009) was a Japanese ornithologist. He wrote several books on the birds of Japan and worked on Japanese encephalitis, the systematics of shearwaters, ducks and on avian anatomy. Kuroda was the son of Japanese ornithologist Nagamichi Kuroda. He studied at Gakushuin High School and Tokyo University before receiving his doctorate from Hokkaido University where he worked on the systematics of shearwaters under Toru Uchida. He worked briefly with the US Army 406th Medical General Laboratory, collaborating with Dr. Oliver L. Austin. He then moved to the Yamashina Institute of Ornithology where he worked for the rest of his life. He took a special interest in the seabirds. He was an able artist and a violoncello player. He also wrote on avian anatomy, including notes on the pectoral, and cervical muscles. A fossil species of shearwater Calonectris kurodai was named in his honour.
Ichiro Yoshikuni (特別 吉國 一郎 September 2, 1916 – September 2, 2011) was a Japanese baseball executive. He served as the…
Ichiro Yoshikuni (特別 吉國 一郎 September 2, 1916 – September 2, 2011) was a Japanese baseball executive. He served as the Commissioner of Baseball in Nippon Professional Baseball from 1989 to 1998. The longest-serving NPB commissioner, he is a member of the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
Lee Dong-hwan (Korean: 이동환; Hanja: 李東煥, Japanese:Moriyama Tatsuo (森山 辰雄), May 19, 1916 – November 11, 1991) was a South…
Lee Dong-hwan (Korean: 이동환; Hanja: 李東煥, Japanese:Moriyama Tatsuo (森山 辰雄), May 19, 1916 – November 11, 1991) was a South Korean government official, diplomat, and businessman. Lee served as vice-minister in the Japanese Home Ministry, as a Postal and Telecommunications officer for the Gangwon Province in the Government-General of Chōsen. Later, he served as a chief representative to the Japanese government and as a South Korean diplomat to Australia. He worked towards the normalization of post-war relationships between Japan and South Korea.
Nobuko Takahashi (高橋展子, Takahashi Nobuko; April 19, 1916 – September 15, 1990) was the Japanese ambassador to Denmark…
Nobuko Takahashi (高橋展子, Takahashi Nobuko; April 19, 1916 – September 15, 1990) was the Japanese ambassador to Denmark from 1980 until 1983. Takahashi was the first female ambassador to Denmark from Japan. She “signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which was the key international convention of the United Nations Decade for Women” in 1980.
Kiyosi Itô (伊藤 清, Itō Kiyoshi; Japanese pronunciation: [itoː kiꜜjoɕi], 7 September 1915 – 10 November 2008) was a…
Kiyosi Itô (伊藤 清, Itō Kiyoshi; Japanese pronunciation: [itoː kiꜜjoɕi], 7 September 1915 – 10 November 2008) was a Japanese mathematician who made fundamental contributions to probability theory, in particular, the theory of stochastic processes. He invented the concept of stochastic integral and stochastic differential equation, and is known as the founder of so-called Itô calculus. He also pioneered the connections between stochastic calculus and differential geometry, known as stochastic differential geometry. He was invited for the International Congress of Mathematicians in Stockholm in 1962. So much were Itô's results useful to financial mathematics that he was sometimes called "the most famous Japanese in Wall Street". Itô was a member of the faculty at University of Kyoto for most of his career and eventually became the director of their Research Institute for Mathematical Sciences. But he also spent multi-year stints at several foreign institutions, the longest of which took place at Cornell University.
Tatsuo Murayama (村山 達雄, Murayama Tatsuo; 8 February 1915 – 20 May 2010) was a Japanese politician who was a member of…
Tatsuo Murayama (村山 達雄, Murayama Tatsuo; 8 February 1915 – 20 May 2010) was a Japanese politician who was a member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and finance minister for two times.
Chang Chun-ha (Korean: 장준하; August 27, 1918 in Uiju County – August 17, 1975 in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province) was a…
Chang Chun-ha (Korean: 장준하; August 27, 1918 in Uiju County – August 17, 1975 in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province) was a Korean independence and democracy activist who later became a journalist in South Korea.
Tokuji Wakasa (若狭 得治; March 11, 1914 – December 27, 2005) was a Japanese businessman, the former head of All Nippon…
Tokuji Wakasa (若狭 得治; March 11, 1914 – December 27, 2005) was a Japanese businessman, the former head of All Nippon Airways. He became President of the company in 1970, one year after becoming vice-president. In 1976, he was imprisoned as a result of a bribery scandal. After serving time, he regained some honorary status with the company, but withdrew over a dispute with the new president, Seiji Fukatsu. Wakasa died of pneumonia in 2005.
Saburō Ōkita (大来 佐武郎 Ōkita Saburō) (3 November 1914 – 9 February 1993) was a Japanese economist and politician noted…
Saburō Ōkita (大来 佐武郎 Ōkita Saburō) (3 November 1914 – 9 February 1993) was a Japanese economist and politician noted for his role in the postwar development of the Japanese economy and Japan-US relations.
Masaharu Gotōda (後藤田 正晴, Gotōda Masaharu, 9 August 1914 – 19 September 2005) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician…
Masaharu Gotōda (後藤田 正晴, Gotōda Masaharu, 9 August 1914 – 19 September 2005) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who served as Deputy Prime Minister of Japan in 1993. He also several in several other cabinet positions such as Chief Cabinet Secretary from 1982 to 1983 and 1985 to 1987 under Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone and Minister of Justice from 1992 to 1993 under Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa. Before becoming a politician Gotōda served as Commissioner General of the National Police Agency from 1969 to 1972 and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary from 1972 to 1973.
Naohiro Dōgakinai (Japanese: 堂垣内尚弘; 2 June 1914 – 2 February 2004) was the third governor of Hokkaido (1971–1983). He…
Naohiro Dōgakinai (Japanese: 堂垣内尚弘; 2 June 1914 – 2 February 2004) was the third governor of Hokkaido (1971–1983). He was a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, and originally from Sapporo.
Masayoshi Ito (伊東 正義, Itō Masayoshi; 15 December 1913 – 21 May 1994) was a Japanese political figure. He served as…
Masayoshi Ito (伊東 正義, Itō Masayoshi; 15 December 1913 – 21 May 1994) was a Japanese political figure. He served as acting Prime Minister of Japan in 1980 after the sudden death of Masayoshi Ōhira. He then served as foreign minister of Japan from 1980 to 1981.
Takao Nakae (born 30 April 1913, date of death unknown) was a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's…
Takao Nakae (born 30 April 1913, date of death unknown) was a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Shigeru Sahashi (佐橋滋, Sahashi Shigeru; 5 April 1913 – 31 May 1993) was a Japanese government official.
Akira Hatano (秦野 章, Hatano Akira; 10 October 1911 – 6 November 2002) was Japanese politician who served as a Minister…
Akira Hatano (秦野 章, Hatano Akira; 10 October 1911 – 6 November 2002) was Japanese politician who served as a Minister of Justice from 1982 to 1983, under Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone. He served in the House of Councillors from 1974 to 1986. Hatano was born in Fujisawa, Kanagawa. Before entering politics he was a police officer, serving as superintendent general of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department from 1967 to 1970. Hatano ran for Governor of Tokyo in 1971, but he was defeated by incumbent Governor Ryokichi Minobe. Hatano was known to be a friend of Kakuei Tanaka.
Osamu Shimomura (下村 治 Shimomura Osamu, 1910 – November 27, 1989), born in Saga Prefecture, Kitagawa Village, was a…
Osamu Shimomura (下村 治 Shimomura Osamu, 1910 – November 27, 1989), born in Saga Prefecture, Kitagawa Village, was a Japanese economist considered to be the "father of the Japanese economic miracle".
Teiichiro Morinaga (森永貞一郎, Morinaga Teiichiro; September 9, 1910 – May 30, 1986) was a Japanese businessman and central…
Teiichiro Morinaga (森永貞一郎, Morinaga Teiichiro; September 9, 1910 – May 30, 1986) was a Japanese businessman and central banker who served as the 23rd Governor of the Bank of Japan (BOJ).
Masayoshi Ōhira (大平 正芳, Ōhira Masayoshi; 12 March 1910 – 12 June 1980) was a Japanese politician who served as prime…
Masayoshi Ōhira (大平 正芳, Ōhira Masayoshi; 12 March 1910 – 12 June 1980) was a Japanese politician who served as prime minister of Japan from 1978 until his death in 1980. Born in Kagawa Prefecture, Ōhira worked in the Ministry of Finance from 1936, and served as the private secretary to Hayato Ikeda, finance minister from 1949 to 1952. Ōhira was first elected to the Diet in 1952, and served as foreign minister in Ikeda's cabinet from 1962 to 1964 and as international trade and industry minister from 1968 to 1970 under Eisaku Satō. He took over Ikeda's faction of the Liberal Democratic Party and later served as foreign minister from 1972 to 1974 under Kakuei Tanaka and as finance minister from 1974 to 1976 under Takeo Miki. He succeeded Takeo Fukuda as LDP president and prime minister in 1978. After his government was defeated in a no-confidence vote, Ōhira decided to call the 1980 election rather than resign, but died suddenly of a heart attack. He is the most recent Japanese premier to die in office.
Jirō Ishiba (Japanese: 石破 二朗, Hepburn: Ishiba Jirō; 29 July 1908 – 16 September 1981) was a Japanese bureaucrat and…
Jirō Ishiba (Japanese: 石破 二朗, Hepburn: Ishiba Jirō; 29 July 1908 – 16 September 1981) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician who served as the governor of Tottori and as a member of the House of Councillors. He also held other high-ranking positions, including Minister of Home Affairs and Vice Minister of Construction. His son Shigeru Ishiba, served as the Prime Minister of Japan from 2024 to 2025.
Kiichi Aichi (愛知 揆一, Aichi Kiichi; 10 October 1907 – 23 November 1973) was a Japanese politician and cabinet minister…
Kiichi Aichi (愛知 揆一, Aichi Kiichi; 10 October 1907 – 23 November 1973) was a Japanese politician and cabinet minister in post-war Japan. He held several cabinet-level positions throughout his career, including Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister of Finance and Minister of Education. He notably negotiated and signed the Okinawa Reversion Agreement with the United States on behalf of then Japanese prime minister Eisaku Satō in 1971.
Keizō Hayashi (林 敬三, Hayashi Keizō; 8 January 1907 – 12 November 1991) was a Japanese civil servant, general officer…
Keizō Hayashi (林 敬三, Hayashi Keizō; 8 January 1907 – 12 November 1991) was a Japanese civil servant, general officer and the first Chairman of Joint Staff Council (JSC), a post equivalent to Chief of the General Staff in other countries, from 1954 to 1964. He was instrumental in founding the post-war Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) in 1954. Hayashi began his civil service career in the Home Ministry in 1929. In post-war Japan, he became Governor of Tottori Prefecture from 1945 to 1947 and Director of the Bureau of Local Affairs from 1947 until the Home Ministry was disbanded in the same year. After that, he was appointed Vice-Minister of Imperial Household from 1948 to 1950, during which he became a confidant of Emperor Showa. After the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, Hayashi, who did not have prewar military background, was chosen by Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida, with the endorsement of the American occupation authority, to head the newly formed National Police Reserve (NPR) in the capacity as Superintendent-General. Since Japan had been demilitarized after the Second World War, one of his major tasks was to build up the NPR as the foundation of Japan's self-defense power in post-war era. He was also responsible for developing a new mind-set for the NPR so as to adapt to post-war changes. When the NPR was restructured as the National Safety Force (NSF) in 1952, he was appointed Chief of the 1st (Ground) Staff of the First Staff Office, which was the top decision making body of the NSF. Hayashi helped found the JSC and the JSDF after Japan regained its status as a sovereign state under the Treaty of San Francisco in 1954. As Chairman of JSC, he assisted the Director-General of Defense Agency (JDA) in formulating defense plans, reviewing proposals as submitted by the JSDF, carrying out defense-related intelligence and investigation work, as well as fostering closer military ties with the United States and its allies. Having served in the JSC for ten years, he was not only the longest-serving Chairman, but was also the only Chairman with civilian civil service background. In retirement, he took an active part in public affairs, serving as, among others, President of the Japan Housing Corporation from 1965 to 1971, of the Japanese Red Cross from 1978 to 1987, and of the Japan Good Deeds Association from 1983 to 1990.
Gon'ichirō Nishizawa (西沢 権一郎, Nishizawa Gon'ichirō; 5 December 1906 – 31 December 1980) was a Japanese politician and…
Gon'ichirō Nishizawa (西沢 権一郎, Nishizawa Gon'ichirō; 5 December 1906 – 31 December 1980) was a Japanese politician and essayist. He was born in Nagano Prefecture. He was a graduate of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. He was governor of Nagano Prefecture (1959–1980). He is the longest serving governor of the Nagano Prefecture.
Yoshihiro Tokugawa (徳川 義寛, Tokugawa Yoshihiro; 7 November 1906 – 2 February 1996) was a Japanese political figure of…
Yoshihiro Tokugawa (徳川 義寛, Tokugawa Yoshihiro; 7 November 1906 – 2 February 1996) was a Japanese political figure of the mid to late 20th century. The grandson of Tokugawa Yoshikatsu, the last lord of Owari han, he served as Grand Chamberlain of Japan from 1985 to 1988, serving as the Emperor of Japan's personal adviser. Yoshihiro was famous for saving the recording of Emperor Hirohito's surrender address from destruction by army officials who wished to continue the war during the Kyūjō Incident. He died in 1996 at the age of 89 due to respiratory failure.
Tomokazu Murakami (Japanese: 村上朝一; May 25, 1906 – February 13, 1987) was the 6th Chief Justice of Japan (1973–1976). He…
Tomokazu Murakami (Japanese: 村上朝一; May 25, 1906 – February 13, 1987) was the 6th Chief Justice of Japan (1973–1976). He was a graduate of the University of Tokyo. He was a recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun. He was born in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Viscount Takeshi Watanabe (渡辺 武, Watanabe Takeshi; 15 February 1906 – 23 August 2010) was a Japanese bureaucrat and the…
Viscount Takeshi Watanabe (渡辺 武, Watanabe Takeshi; 15 February 1906 – 23 August 2010) was a Japanese bureaucrat and the first President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). He was in office from 24 November 1966 to 24 November 1972.
Viscount Takeshi Watanabe (渡辺 武, Watanabe Takeshi; 15 February 1906 – 23 August 2010) was a Japanese bureaucrat and the…
Viscount Takeshi Watanabe (渡辺 武, Watanabe Takeshi; 15 February 1906 – 23 August 2010) was a Japanese bureaucrat and the first President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). He was in office from 24 November 1966 to 24 November 1972.
Shigesuburō Maeo (前尾 繁三郎, Maeo Shigesaburō; 10 December 1905 – 23 July 1981) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician…
Shigesuburō Maeo (前尾 繁三郎, Maeo Shigesaburō; 10 December 1905 – 23 July 1981) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician who served as Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party from 1961 to 1964, and was the 58th Speaker of the House of Representatives in the National Diet from 1973 to 1976. In addition, Maeo was a member of prime minister Hayato Ikeda's "brain trust" in 1960 that helped formulate the Income Doubling Plan. After Ikeda died in 1965, Maeo served as the second head of the Kōchikai political faction within the Liberal Democratic Party, a post he held until 1971.
Vice Admiral Kogoro Yamazaki (山崎小五郎, Yamazaki Kogoro; born 10 November 1905) was a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force…
Vice Admiral Kogoro Yamazaki (山崎小五郎, Yamazaki Kogoro; born 10 November 1905) was a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force officer, a former Ministry of Communications and a bureaucrat of the Ministry of Transport. The 24th Vice-Minister of Transportation, Deputy Director of the Japan Coast Guard, and the first Chief of Staff, Maritime Self Defense Force until 1954 when he was succeeded by Ko Nagasawa. As a member of the Y Committee, he contributed to the establishment of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, concluded a Japan-US ship loan agreement based on the MSA agreement, and started domestic production of escort vessels. After completing the bridge from the Coast Guard to Navy, he returned to the Ministry of Transport and became the top office worker.
Sukemasa Irie (入江 相政, Irie Sukemasa; 29 June 1905 – 29 September 1985) was a Japanese essayist.
Takeo Fukuda (福田 赳夫, Fukuda Takeo; 14 January 1905 – 5 July 1995) was a Japanese politician who served as prime…
Takeo Fukuda (福田 赳夫, Fukuda Takeo; 14 January 1905 – 5 July 1995) was a Japanese politician who served as prime minister of Japan from 1976 to 1978. Born in Gunma Prefecture and educated at Tokyo Imperial University, Fukuda served as an official in the Ministry of Finance for two decades before entering politics. He was first elected to the Diet in 1952, and served as agriculture, forestry, and fisheries minister in 1959–1960 under Nobusuke Kishi, as head of the party's political affairs section under Hayato Ikeda, and as finance minister (1965–1966, 1968–1971) and foreign minister (1971–1972) under Eisaku Satō, becoming his protégé. Fukuda's political life was marked by a rivalry with Kakuei Tanaka, who succeeded Satō as prime minister in 1972 and under whom Fukuda served as finance minister from 1973 to 1974. As prime minister from 1976, Fukuda formulated the Fukuda Doctrine, which pledged trust and cooperation with Asian countries, and concluded the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China in 1978. He was succeeded as premier in 1978 by Masayoshi Ōhira. His son, Yasuo Fukuda, followed him as a politician and served as prime minister from 2007 to 2008.
Takeshi Usami (Japanese: 宇佐美毅, romanized: Usami Takeshi) (December 19, 1903 – January 19, 1991) was a Japanese official…
Takeshi Usami (Japanese: 宇佐美毅, romanized: Usami Takeshi) (December 19, 1903 – January 19, 1991) was a Japanese official who served as Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Agency (December 16, 1953 – May 26, 1978). He graduated from the University of Tokyo. He was a recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun.
Takeshi Usami (Japanese: 宇佐美毅, romanized: Usami Takeshi) (December 19, 1903 – January 19, 1991) was a Japanese official…
Takeshi Usami (Japanese: 宇佐美毅, romanized: Usami Takeshi) (December 19, 1903 – January 19, 1991) was a Japanese official who served as Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Agency (December 16, 1953 – May 26, 1978). He graduated from the University of Tokyo. He was a recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun.
Hiroo Wada (和田 博雄, Wada Hiroo; 17 February 1903 – 4 March 1967) was a Japanese politician and bureaucrat of the…
Hiroo Wada (和田 博雄, Wada Hiroo; 17 February 1903 – 4 March 1967) was a Japanese politician and bureaucrat of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. He served as the 4th Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, the 4th Director-General of the Economic Stabilization Board, and the 4th Director-General of the Price Agency. He was a member of the House of Representatives (six terms) and the House of Councillors (one term).
Tanino Setsu (谷野せつ) was a textile worker who graduated from Japan Women's University's Department of Social Work in…
Tanino Setsu (谷野せつ) was a textile worker who graduated from Japan Women's University's Department of Social Work in 1925, and became the first female factory supervisor in 1928. She aided in organizing women's strikes for higher wages, and wrote prolifically about her observances of female factory worker's struggles.
Hisatsune Sakomizu (迫水 久常, Sakomizu Hisatsune; 5 August 1902 – 25 July 1977) was a Japanese government official and…
Hisatsune Sakomizu (迫水 久常, Sakomizu Hisatsune; 5 August 1902 – 25 July 1977) was a Japanese government official and politician before, during and after World War II.
Colonel Okikatsu Arao (荒尾 興功, Arao Okikatsu; March 18, 1902 – August 22, 1974) was one of the original plotters in a…
Colonel Okikatsu Arao (荒尾 興功, Arao Okikatsu; March 18, 1902 – August 22, 1974) was one of the original plotters in a scheme to prevent Emperor Hirohito's declaration of surrender at the end of World War II. He was the chief of the War Affairs section of the Military Affairs Bureau of the Imperial Japanese Army.
Inada Syūichi (稲田 周一, Inada Shūichi; 26 February 1902 – 5 February 1973) was a Japanese Home Ministry government…
Inada Syūichi (稲田 周一, Inada Shūichi; 26 February 1902 – 5 February 1973) was a Japanese Home Ministry government official and politician. He was born in Niigata Prefecture. He was a graduate of Tokyo Imperial University. He was governor of Shiga Prefecture (1945–1946). He was Grand Chamberlain of Japan (1965–1969).
Akira Shimada (島田 叡, Shimada Akira; 25 December 1901 – c. 26 June 1945) was the last governor of Okinawa Prefecture…
Akira Shimada (島田 叡, Shimada Akira; 25 December 1901 – c. 26 June 1945) was the last governor of Okinawa Prefecture before Japan's defeat in 1945. He died during the Battle of Okinawa.
Shigeyoshi Matsumae (松前重義, Matsumae Shigeyoshi; October 24, 1901 – August 25, 1991) was a Japanese electrical engineer…
Shigeyoshi Matsumae (松前重義, Matsumae Shigeyoshi; October 24, 1901 – August 25, 1991) was a Japanese electrical engineer, inventor of the non-loaded cable carrier system, the Minister of the Ministry of Communications (Teishin-in, between August 30, 1945, and April 8, 1946), politician and the founder of Tokai University. He is also known as a patron of Yasuhiro Yamashita, a judo champion from Tokai University.
Toshihiro Kennoki (Japanese: 剱木亨弘; 3 September 1901 - 29 November 1992) was a Japanese politician who served as…
Toshihiro Kennoki (Japanese: 剱木亨弘; 3 September 1901 - 29 November 1992) was a Japanese politician who served as Minister of Education under Prime Minister Eisaku Satō from 1966 to 1967. Kennoki was an official in the Ministry of Education and rose to the position of vice minister. He also served as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary under Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida. He was elected to the House of Councilors in 1953 and was active as an expert in education policy. As minister of education under Satō he is credited for having been one of the central figures who helped drive the Central Council for Education to consider education reform.
Kiichi Arita (Japanese: 有田 喜一; 30 April 1901 – 9 February 1986) was a Japanese politician. During his time in politics…
Kiichi Arita (Japanese: 有田 喜一; 30 April 1901 – 9 February 1986) was a Japanese politician. During his time in politics, he served as Director of the Economic Planning Agency, Director of the Defense Agency, and Minister of Education.
Tokiichiro Takekawa (武若 時一郎, Takewaka Tokiichirō; April 1901 – ?) was the Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture from March…
Tokiichiro Takekawa (武若 時一郎, Takewaka Tokiichirō; April 1901 – ?) was the Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture from March to April 1947.
Eisaku Satō (佐藤 栄作, Satō Eisaku; 27 March 1901 – 3 June 1975) was a Japanese politician who served as prime minister of…
Eisaku Satō (佐藤 栄作, Satō Eisaku; 27 March 1901 – 3 June 1975) was a Japanese politician who served as prime minister of Japan from 1964 to 1972. He was the third longest-serving and longest-uninterrupted–serving Japanese prime minister. Satō is best remembered for securing the return of Okinawa in 1972, and for winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1974, which stirred controversy. He was a former elite bureaucrat like his elder brother Nobusuke Kishi and a member of the Yoshida school like Hayato Ikeda. Like his predecessor, he also supported Keynesian economic policies. Born in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Satō was a member of the Satō–Kishi–Abe family and the younger brother of prime minister Nobusuke Kishi. Satō graduated from Tokyo Imperial University in 1924 and joined the Ministry of Railways. After the war, he entered the National Diet in 1949 as a member of the Liberal Party, and served in a series of cabinet positions under Shigeru Yoshida, including posts and telecommunications minister from 1951 to 1952, construction minister from 1952 to 1953, and chief cabinet secretary from 1953 to 1954. Satō later joined the Liberal Democratic Party and became finance minister from 1958 to 1960 under Nobusuke Kishi and international trade and industry minister from 1961 to 1962 under Hayato Ikeda. In 1964, Satō succeeded Ikeda as LDP president and prime minister. He had the support of Japanese business and finance, and presided over a period of rapid economic growth. In foreign policy, he oversaw the normalization of diplomatic relations with South Korea and maintained close relations with the United States, allowing the U.S.–Japan Security Treaty to renew in 1970 and arranging for the return of Okinawa to Japan in 1972. In 1967, Satō introduced the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" (the non-production, non-possession, and non-introduction of nuclear weapons), and in 1968 signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize. However, it was later revealed that Satō had made secret agreements with the U.S. to allow violations of the principles. Facing mounting economic problems and falling approval ratings in the early 1970s, Satō resigned in 1972 and was succeeded as prime minister by Kakuei Tanaka, quickly losing his political influence when his protégé Takeo Fukuda did not succeed him.
Toshio Irie (入江 俊郎, Irie Toshio; January 10, 1901 – July 18, 1972) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician. Born and…
Toshio Irie (入江 俊郎, Irie Toshio; January 10, 1901 – July 18, 1972) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician. Born and raised in Tokyo, Toshio attended Tokyo University and joined the Home Affairs Ministry on graduation. He became Counselor for the Bureau of Legislation in 1927, and served in various posts there. In 1946, under Yoshida Shigeru Toshio was promoted to Director-General of the Bureau. In this role, he assisted in drafting the reforms to the post-war Constitution of Japan, and served on the Cabinet's committee for dealing with legislative problems. After the enactment of the new constitution, Toshio was appointed to the House of Peers, and two years later he was promoted to Commissioner General of the House of Representatives' Legislative Bureau. He later served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan from 1952 to 1970, the longest recorded tenure in that office. After his retirement from public office in 1971, Toshio became a lecturer at Komazawa University. He died the following year.
Kingo Machimura (町村 金五, Machimura Kingo; 16 August 1900 – 14 December 1992) was a Japanese politician who served as…
Kingo Machimura (町村 金五, Machimura Kingo; 16 August 1900 – 14 December 1992) was a Japanese politician who served as governor of Toyama Prefecture (1941–1943), Governor of Niigata Prefecture (1945) and the second Governor of Hokkaido (1959–1971). He was a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. He was a graduate of the University of Tokyo. He was a recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun. His second son was Nobutaka Machimura, who was twice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan and Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan.
Koshiro Ueki (植木 庚子郎, Ueki Kōshirō; 28 January 1900 – 11 March 1980) was a Japanese politician. He served as justice…
Koshiro Ueki (植木 庚子郎, Ueki Kōshirō; 28 January 1900 – 11 March 1980) was a Japanese politician. He served as justice minister for two terms and as finance minister.
Hirokichi Nadao (Japanese: 灘尾 弘吉; 21 December 1899 – 22 January 1994) was a Japanese politician. Throughout his career…
Hirokichi Nadao (Japanese: 灘尾 弘吉; 21 December 1899 – 22 January 1994) was a Japanese politician. Throughout his career, he served as Minister of Education multiple times, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Minister of Health and Welfare, and Governor of Oita Prefecture. Nadao was known for his hawkish attitudes. He held an aggressive stance towards Nikkyoso, the teachers' union of Japan, and unions in general (represented by Sōhyō). He was also one of the main people behind Prime Minister Eisaku Satō's foreign policy. In the mid-1970s, he was regarded as one of the most powerful men in Japan.
Hayato Ikeda (池田 勇人, Ikeda Hayato; 3 December 1899 – 13 August 1965) was a Japanese politician who served as prime…
Hayato Ikeda (池田 勇人, Ikeda Hayato; 3 December 1899 – 13 August 1965) was a Japanese politician who served as prime minister of Japan from 1960 to 1964. He is best known for his Income Doubling Plan, which promised to double the size of Japan's economy in 10 years, and for presiding over the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Born in Hiroshima Prefecture, Ikeda studied law at Kyoto Imperial University and entered the Ministry of Finance in 1925, working there for the next two decades. After the war, he was first elected to the National Diet in 1947 and served as finance minister from 1949 to 1952 under Shigeru Yoshida, being responsible implementing an economic stabilization program. Ikeda briefly headed the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1952, but resigned after a no-confidence motion. He returned as finance minister under Tanzan Ishibashi from 1956 to 1957, and as international trade and industry minister from 1959 to 1960. Ikeda succeeded Nobusuke Kishi as president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and prime minister in 1960, following Kishi's resignation amid the massive Anpo protests against the US-Japan Security Treaty. Seeking to redirect the nation's energies away from social conflict and in the direction of economic growth, Ikeda announced his Income Doubling Plan and helped Japan to double its GDP in a period of just seven years. During his tenure, Ikeda worked to repair the rift in U.S.–Japan relations and to ease the domestic political divisions which had been exacerbated by the recent protests, played an important role in settling the Miike Struggle, and oversaw the successful 1964 Olympic Games before resigning due to ill health.