| Noboru Takeshita 竹下 登 |
|
|---|---|
| Prime Minister of Japan | |
| In office 6 November 1987 – 3 June 1989 |
|
| Monarch | Shōwa Akihito |
| Preceded by | Yasuhiro Nakasone |
| Succeeded by | Sōsuke Uno |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 February 1924 Unnan, Japan |
| Died | 19 June 2000 (aged 76) |
| Political party | Liberal Democratic Party |
| Alma mater | Waseda University |
| Religion | Jōdo Shinshū |
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.[1]
Takeshita was also the last Prime Minister during the long rule of the Emperor Shōwa.[2]
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Takeshita was born in present-day Unnan, Shimane and attended Waseda University.[3]
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.
Takeshita served as Chief Cabinet Secretary from 1971 to 1974, as Minister of Construction in 1976.
Takeshita served as Minister of Finance from 1979 to 1980; and he again accepted the finance position from 1982 to 1986. In this period, he achieved prominence as Japan's negotiator during deliberations which led to the agreement which is known as the Plaza Accord in New York.[4]
In the period Takeshita was Finance Minister, the yen appreciated relative to other international currencies. The rise of the strong Yen (Yendaka) enhanced Japan's status as a financial powerhouse.[5]
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.
Among the highlights of the period in which Takeshita led the government, he acknowledged that Japan had been an aggressor during World War II. This statement was part of a speech in the Japanese Diet.[2]
The Recruit scandal forced Takeshita to resign in 1989.[6]
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.
He remained a major behind-the-scenes player in the LDP, mentoring future prime ministers Sōsuke Uno, Toshiki Kaifu, and Keizō Obuchi. He died of respiratory failure in 2000 after over a year in hospital.
Singer Daigo (formerly known as Daigo☆Stardust) is Takeshita's grandson.[7] Manga artist Eiki Eiki is his granddaughter.[8]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Yasuhiro Nakasone |
Prime Minister of Japan 1987–1989 |
Succeeded by Sōsuke Uno |
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