Noboru Takeshita

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In this Japanese name, the family name is Takeshita.
Noboru Takeshita
竹下 登


In office
6 November 1987 – 3 June 1989
Monarch Shōwa
Heisei
Preceded by Yasuhiro Nakasone
Succeeded by Sōsuke Uno

Born 26 February 1924(1924-02-26)
Unnan, Japan
Died 19 June 2000 (aged 76)
Political party Liberal Democratic Party
Alma mater Waseda University
Religion Jodo Shinshu

Noboru Takeshita (竹下 登 Takeshita Noboru, February 26, 1924 – June 19, 2000) was a Japanese politician and the 74th Prime Minister of Japan from November 6, 1987 to June 3, 1989. He was also the last Prime Minister during the long rule of the Showa Emperor.

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[edit] Early years

Takeshita was born in present-day Unnan, Shimane and attended Waseda University. In 1958, he entered the lower house of the Diet of Japan, joining the powerful faction of Kakuei Tanaka in the Liberal Democratic Party. Takeshita eventually became Tanaka's primary fundraiser, traveling the country to garner support for the LDP's coffers. Like Tanaka, Takeshita was fond of "pork barrel" politics, retaining his own seat by bringing excessively huge public works projects to Shimane.

[edit] Political life

Takeshita served as Chief Cabinet Secretary from 1971 to 1974, as Minister of Construction in 1976, and as Minister of Finance from 1979 to 1980 and from 1982 to 1986 (in which capacity he became famous for signing the Plaza Accord).

[edit] Prime Ministership

By 1985, Takeshita's power within the party had eclipsed Tanaka's, and he was able to win enough support to defeat Tanaka as the head of the LDP's largest faction. In July 1986 he left the Cabinet, only to be named to the key post of secretary general of the party. In November 1987 he became party chairman and subsequently prime minister, replacing Yasuhiro Nakasone, his inner rival.

[edit] Political defeat

The Recruit scandal forced Takeshita to resign in 1989: although Takeshita was accused of insider trading and corruption, he was never charged and was able to retain his seat in the Diet until shortly before his death.

[edit] Later years and death

He remained a major behind-the-scenes player in the LDP, mentoring future prime ministers Sōsuke Uno, Toshiki Kaifu, and Keizo Obuchi. He died of respiratory failure in 2000 after over a year in hospital.

[edit] Family

Singer Daigo (formerly known as Daigo☆Stardust) is Takeshita's grandson.[1] Manga artist Eiki Eiki is his granddaughter.[2]

[edit] References

Political offices
Preceded by
Yasuhiro Nakasone
Prime Minister of Japan
1987–1989
Succeeded by
Sōsuke Uno