Obuchi Cabinet
Obuchi Cabinet | |
|---|---|
 84th Cabinet of Japan | |
 | |
| Date formed | July 30, 1998 |
| Date dissolved | April 5, 2000 |
| People and organisations | |
| Head of state | Emperor Akihito |
| Head of government | Keizō Obuchi |
| Member party | LDP (1998-99) LDP-LP (1999) LDP-LP-NKP (1999-2000) LDP-NCP-NKP (2000) |
| Status in legislature | Majority government (1998-99) Majority coalition (1999-2000) |
| Opposition party | Democratic Party of Japan |
| Opposition leader | Naoto Kan (1998-99) Yukio Hatoyama (1999-2000) |
| History | |
| Predecessor | Second Hashimoto Cabinet |
| Successor | First Mori Cabinet |
The Obuchi Cabinet governed Japan from July 1998 to April 2000 under the leadership of Prime Minister Keizō Obuchi, who took office after winning the Liberal Democratic Party leadership.[1] Initially a purely LDP government, it expanded to become a coalition involving first the Liberal Party and then the New Komeito over the course of its term. The government focused on economic revival, with former Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa recalled to the position of Finance Minister, and introduced policies designed to stimulate the economy through tax cuts and public spending increases.[2][3]
Obuchi reshuffled his cabinet twice, firstly in January 1999 after having negotiated a coalition agreement with the Liberal Party. This did not bring about any major change in personnel other than to bring Liberal Takeshi Noda into government as Home Minister, and reduce the number of ministers by doubling up portfolios.[4] The second reshuffle in October 1999 was a more substantial reconstruction, and took place following Obuchi's re-election as LDP president. At the same time, the coalition expanded again to include the New Komeito, beginning the long-running LDP-NKP partnership.[5] The coalition continued until April 2000 when Liberal Leader Ichirō Ozawa decided to withdraw from the arrangement, causing a section of the Liberal Party to break away and form the New Conservative Party, which remained in the government.[6]
The Obuchi cabinet ended in early April 2000 when Obuchi fell into a coma after suffering a serious, and ultimately fatal stroke. With the Prime Minister unable to discharge his duties, Chief Cabinet Secretary Mikio Aoki served as Acting Prime Minister for several days, until the cabinet determined to resign and Yoshirō Mori was chosen to replace Obuchi.[7][8][9]
Election of the Prime Minister
Obuchi's election demonstrated how the Diet was divided following the 1998 upper house election. In the House of Representatives, Obuchi was elected on the first ballot, however the first ballot in the House of Councillors did not produce a majority for any candidate. In the subsequent runoff vote, opposition leader Naoto Kan won with the support of all opposition parties allied against the LDP. This did not affect Obuchi's appointment as Prime Minister, as the constitution stipulates that in such a scenario, the will of the lower house prevails.[10]
| House of Representatives Absolute majority (251/500) required | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Choice | First Vote | ||
| Votes | |||
 Keizō Obuchi
|
268 / 500
| ||
| Naoto Kan | 164 / 500
| ||
| Others and Abstentions (Including Speaker and Deputy) | 68 / 500
| ||
| Source Diet Minutes - 143rd Session (Representatives) | |||
| House of Councillors Absolute majority (127/252) required | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Choice | First Vote | ||
| Votes | |||
| Keizō Obuchi | 103 / 252
| ||
| Naoto Kan | 98 / 252
| ||
| Others and Abstentions (Including Speaker and Deputy) | 51 / 252
| ||
| Source Diet Minutes - 143rd Session (Councillors) | |||
| House of Councillors Simple majority required | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Choice | Runoff Vote | ||
| Votes | |||
| Naoto Kan | 142 / 252
| ||
| Keizō Obuchi
|
103 / 252
| ||
| Others and Abstentions (Including Speaker and Deputy) | 7 / 252
| ||
| Source Diet Minutes - 143rd Session (Both houses) | |||
Ministers
Liberal Democratic
Liberal (1998)
New Komeito
Independent
R = Member of the House of Representatives
C = Member of the House of Councillors
Cabinet
| Portfolio | Minister | Term of Office | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Keizō Obuchi | R | July 30, 1998 - April 5, 2000 |
| Minister of Justice | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Shozaburo Nakamura | R | July 30, 1998 - March 8, 1999 |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Masahiko Kōmura | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Minister of Finance | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Kiichi Miyazawa | R | July 30, 1998 - April 26, 2001 |
| Minister of Education | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Akito Arima | C | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Minister of Health and Welfare | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Sohei Miyashita | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Shōichi Nakagawa | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Minister of International Trade and Industry | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Kaoru Yosano | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Minister of Transport | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Jirō Kawasaki | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Minister of Posts and Telecommunications | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Seiko Noda | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Minister of Labour | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Akira Amari | R | July 30, 1998 - January 14, 1999 |
| Minister of Construction | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Katsutsugu Sekiya | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Minister of Home Affairs Director of the National Public Safety Commission |
style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Mamoru Nishida | R | July 30, 1998 - January 14, 1999 |
| Chief Cabinet Secretary | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Hiromu Nonaka | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Director of the Management and Coordination Agency | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Seiichi Ota | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Director of the Hokkaido Development Agency Director of the Okinawa Development Agency |
style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Kichio Inoue | C | July 30, 1998 - January 14, 1999 |
| Director of the Japan Defense Agency | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Fukushiro Nukaga | R | July 30, 1998 - November 21, 1998 |
| style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Hosei Norota | R | November 21, 1998 - October 5, 1999 | |
| Director of the Economic Planning Agency | style="background-color: Template:Independent/meta/color" | | Taichi Sakaiya | - | July 30, 1998 - December 5, 2000 |
| Director of the Science and Technology Agency | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Yutaka Takeyama | C | July 30, 1998 - January 14, 1999 |
| Director of the Environment Agency | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Kenji Manabe | C | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Director of the National Land Agency | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Hakuo Yanagisawa | R | July 30, 1998 - October 23, 1998 |
| style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Kichio Inoue | C | October 23, 1998 - January 14, 1999 | |
| Minister of State for Financial Reconstruction | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" rowspan=2| | Hakuo Yanagisawa | R | October 23, 1998 - December 15, 1998 |
| Chairman of the Financial Reconstruction Commission | December 15, 1998 - October 5, 1999 | |||
| Deputy Secretaries | ||||
| Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Political Affairs - House of Representatives) | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Muneo Suzuki | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Political Affairs - House of Councillors) | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Mitsuhiro Uesugi | C | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Bureaucrat) | style="background-color: Template:Independent/meta/color" | | Teijiro Furukawa | - | February 24, 1995 - September 22, 2003 |
Changes
- October 23 - Hakuo Yanagisawa the Director of the National Land Agency was moved to become the Minister of State for Financial Reconstruction (which later became the Chairman of the Financial Reconstruction Commission) and was replaced with Yoshio Inoue, who doubled up as Hokkaido and Okinawa development minister.
- November 21 - Fukushiro Nukaga resigned as Defence Minister due to a corruption scandal, he was replaced with Hosei Norota.[11]
First Reshuffled Cabinet
| Portfolio | Minister | Term of Office | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Keizō Obuchi | R | July 30, 1998 - April 5, 2000 |
| Minister of Justice | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Shozaburo Nakamura | R | July 30, 1998 - March 8, 1999 |
| style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Takao Jinnouchi | C | March 8, 1999 - October 5, 1999 | |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Masahiko Kōmura | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Minister of Finance | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Kiichi Miyazawa | R | July 30, 1998 - April 26, 2001 |
| Minister of Education Director of the Science and Technology Agency |
style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Akito Arima | C | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Minister of Health and Welfare | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Sohei Miyashita | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Shōichi Nakagawa | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Minister of International Trade and Industry | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Kaoru Yosano | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Minister of Transport Director of the Hokkaido Development Agency |
style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Jirō Kawasaki | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Minister of Posts and Telecommunications | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Seiko Noda | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Minister of Labour | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Akira Amari | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Minister of Construction Director of the National Land Agency |
style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Katsutsugu Sekiya | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Minister of Home Affairs Director of the National Public Safety Commission |
style="background-color: Template:Liberal Party (Japan, 1998)/meta/color" | | Takeshi Noda | R | January 14, 1999 - October 5, 1999 |
| Chief Cabinet Secretary Director of the Okinawa Development Agency |
style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Hiromu Nonaka | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Director of the Management and Coordination Agency | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Seiichi Ota | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Director of the Japan Defense Agency | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Hosei Norota | R | November 21, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Director of the Economic Planning Agency | style="background-color: Template:Independent/meta/color" | | Taichi Sakaiya | - | July 30, 1998 - December 5, 2000 |
| Director of the Environment Agency | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Kenji Manabe | C | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Chairman of the Financial Reconstruction Commission | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Hakuo Yanagisawa | R | December 15, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Deputy Secretaries | ||||
| Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Political Affairs - House of Representatives) | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Muneo Suzuki | R | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Political Affairs - House of Councillors) | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Mitsuhiro Uesugi | C | July 30, 1998 - October 5, 1999 |
| Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Bureaucrat) | style="background-color: Template:Independent/meta/color" | | Teijiro Furukawa | - | February 24, 1995 - September 22, 2003 |
Changes
- March 8, 1999 - Minister of Justice Shozaburo Nakamura resigned over a controversy relating to actor Arnold Schwarzenegger being allowed to enter Japan without a passport, and was replaced by Takao Jinnouchi.[12]
Second Reshuffled Cabinet
| Portfolio | Minister | Term of Office | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Keizō Obuchi | R | July 30, 1998 - April 5, 2000 |
| Minister of Justice | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Hideo Usui | R | October 5, 1999 - July 4, 2000 |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Yōhei Kōno | R | October 5, 1999 - April 26, 2001 |
| Minister of Finance | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Kiichi Miyazawa | R | July 30, 1998 - April 26, 2001 |
| Minister of Education Director of the Science and Technology Agency |
style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Hirofumi Nakasone | C | October 5, 1999 - July 4, 2000 |
| Minister of Health and Welfare | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Yuya Niwa | R | October 5, 1999 - July 4, 2000 |
| Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Tokuichiro Tamazawa | R | October 5, 1999 - July 4, 2000 |
| Minister of International Trade and Industry | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Takashi Fukaya | R | October 5, 1999 - July 4, 2000 |
| Minister of Transport Director of the Hokkaido Development Agency |
style="background-color: Template:Liberal Party (Japan, 1998)/meta/color" | | Toshihiro Nikai | R | October 5, 1999 - July 4, 2000 |
| Minister of Posts and Telecommunications | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Eita Yashiro | R | October 5, 1999 - July 4, 2000 |
| Minister of Labour | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Takamori Makino | R | October 5, 1999 - July 4, 2000 |
| Minister of Construction Director of the National Land Agency |
style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Masaaki Nakayama | R | October 5, 1999 - July 4, 2000 |
| Minister of Home Affairs Director of the National Public Safety Commission |
style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Kosuke Hori | R | October 5, 1999 - July 4, 2000 |
| Chief Cabinet Secretary Director of the Okinawa Development Agency |
style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Mikio Aoki | C | October 5, 1999 - July 4, 2000 |
| Chairman of the Financial Reconstruction Commission | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Michio Ochi | R | October 5, 1999 - February 25, 2000 |
| style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Sadakazu Tanigaki | R | February 25, 2000 - July 4, 2000 | |
| Director of the Management and Coordination Agency | style="background-color: Template:Komeito/meta/color" | | Kunihiro Tsuzuki | C | October 5, 1999 - December 5, 2000 |
| Director of the Japan Defense Agency | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Tsutomu Kawara | R | October 5, 1999 - July 4, 2000 |
| Director of the Economic Planning Agency | style="background-color: Template:Independent/meta/color" | | Taichi Sakaiya | - | July 30, 1998 - December 5, 2000 |
| Director of the Environment Agency | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Kayoko Shimizu | C | October 5, 1999 - July 4, 2000 |
| Deputy Secretaries | ||||
| Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Political Affairs - House of Representatives) | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Fukushiro Nukaga | R | October 5, 1999 - July 4, 2000 |
| Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Political Affairs - House of Councillors) | style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)/meta/color" | | Soichiro Matsutani | C | October 5, 1999 - July 4, 2000 |
| Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Bureaucrat) | style="background-color: Template:Independent/meta/color" | | Teijiro Furukawa | - | February 24, 1995 - September 22, 2003 |
Changes
- February 25, 2000 - Chairman of the Financial Reconstruction Commission Michio Ochi resigned following controversial comments he made related to regulation and inspection of banks. He was replaced by Sadakazu Tanigaki.[13]
- April 1, 2000 - Coalition negotiations between the Liberal Party and the LDP broke down leading to the party pulling out of the coalition. This caused a split, with some Liberals wishing to remain in government.[14]
- April 2, 2000 - Prime Minister Obuchi suffered a debilitating stroke and fell into a coma. Chief Cabinet Secretary Mikio Aoki assumed his duties as Acting Prime Minister until April 5 when LDP Secretary-general Yoshiro Mori was appointed as replacement Prime Minister.[15] Obuchi died on May 14.[16]
- April 3, 2000 - The dissident Liberals launched the New Conservative Party under the leadership of Chikage Oogi, and remained in government under that banner, including Transport Minister Toshihiro Nikai.[17]
References
- ^ "Obuchi's top 20". BBC News. 30 July 1998. Archived from the original on 28 February 2003. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Obituary: Keizo Obuchi". BBC News. 14 May 2000. Archived from the original on 16 May 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Trends in Japan". OBUCHI NAMES CABINET:. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) - ^ "Obuchi names new minister". Irish Times. 15 January 1999. Archived from the original on 9 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Trends in Japan". OBUCHI LAUNCHES NEW CABINET:. Archived from the original on 29 September 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) - ^ Maeda, Toshi (17 June 2000). "Ogi's New Conservatives aim to lay Japan's 'moral ground'". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Efron, Sonni (3 April 2000). "Japan's Premier Suffers a Stroke; Deputy Steps In". LA Times. Archived from the original on 4 December 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Schmetzer, Uli (4 April 2000). "Reins Of Government Shift In Japan". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 9 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Reitman, Valerie (14 April 2000). "Obuchi Coma Exposes Japan's Succession Flaw". LA Times. Archived from the original on 9 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Eur (2002). The Far East and Australasia 2003. Psychology Press. p. 588.
{{cite book}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ "Corruption Scandal Leads Defense Chief To Resign". Orlando Sentinel. 21 November 1998. Archived from the original on 9 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Japanese Minister Resigns". Associated Press. 8 March 1999. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Bank watchdog forced to resign". BBC News. 25 February 2000. Archived from the original on 9 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Maeda, Toshi (17 June 2000). "Ogi's New Conservatives aim to lay Japan's 'moral ground'". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Japanese PM falls into coma after stroke". The Independent. 2 April 2000. Archived from the original on 9 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Sims, Calvin (15 May 2000). "Keizo Obuchi, Premier Who Brought Stability as Japan's Economy Faltered, Dies at 62". New York Times. Archived from the original on 19 November 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Maeda, Toshi (17 June 2000). "Ogi's New Conservatives aim to lay Japan's 'moral ground'". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)
External links
Lists of Ministers at the Kantei:
- Obuchi Cabinet Template:Ja icon
- (First reshuffle) Template:Ja icon
- (Second reshuffle) Template:Ja icon
