Noboru Takeshita

In this Japanese name, the family name is " Takeshita".

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(1924-02-26) Unnan, Japan
Died	19 June 2000(2000-06-19) (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]

Early years

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.

Political life

Takeshita served as Chief Cabinet Secretary from 1971 to 1974, as Minister of Construction in 1976.

The 1985 "Plaza Accord" is named after New York City's Plaza Hotel, which was the location of a meeting of finance ministers who reached an agreement about managing the fluctuating value of the US dollar. From left are Gerhard Stoltenberg of West Germany, Pierre Bérégovoy of France, James A. Baker III of the United States, Nigel Lawson of Britain and Noboru Takeshita.

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]

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.

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]

Political defeat

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.

Later years and 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.

Family

Singer Daigo (formerly known as Daigo☆Stardust) is Takeshita's grandson.^[7] Manga artist Eiki Eiki is his granddaughter.^[8]

References

1. ^ French, Howard W. "Noboru Takeshita, Premier Who Guided Political Power in Japan, Is Dead at 76," New York Times. June 19, 2000.
2. ^ ^{a b} Sanger, David E. "Takeshita Now Admits World War II Aggression," New York Times. March 7, 1989.
3. ^ "Noboru Takeshita" (obit). The Telegraph (London). June 20, 2000.
4. ^ KIlborn, Peter T. "U.S. and 4 Allies Plan Move to Cut Value of Dollar," New York Times. September 23, 1985.
5. ^ Chira, Susan. "International Report: a Year After Plaza Accord, Currency Issues Remain Divisive; Impact on Japanese is Wide; American Hopes Unfulfilled," New York Times. September 22, 1986.
6. ^ MacLeod, Scott; Barry Hillenbrand and Kumiko Makihara. "Japan Sand in a Well-Oiled Machine," Time. May 8, 1989.
7. ^ Musician Daigo an Y85 million man for a day
8. ^ Noboru Takeshita at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia, retrieved on 2009-11-03

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

Persondata
Name	Takeshita, Noboru
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	February 26, 1924
Place of birth	Unnan, Japan
Date of death	June 19, 2000
Place of death