Keizo Obuchi Prime Minister of Japan Date of Birth: 25.07.1937 Country: Japan

1. Biography of Keizo Obuchi
2. Political Career
3. Ministerial Roles
4. Historical Apology
5. Re-election and Tragic Event
6. Successor

Biography of Keizo Obuchi

Keizo Obuchi was a Japanese politician and the Prime Minister of Japan. He was born into a family of entrepreneurs and political activists. Obuchi attended Waseda University, where he obtained a degree in English literature in 1962.

Political Career

In 1963, Obuchi was elected to the parliament as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). He quickly rose through the ranks of the party and in 1987, he was appointed as the Chief Cabinet Secretary under Noboru Takeshita. In 1991, Obuchi became the Secretary General of the LDP, and in 1992, he became the head of the largest faction within the party.

Ministerial Roles

In 1997, Obuchi was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In July 1998, following the resignation of Prime Minister Hashimoto, he became the leader of the LDP and was subsequently elected as the Prime Minister by the lower house of parliament.

Historical Apology

During a visit by Korean President Kim Dae-jung, Obuchi made an unprecedented statement, officially apologizing for Japan's occupation of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945.

Re-election and Tragic Event

In September 1999, Obuchi was re-elected as the leader of the LDP, extending his tenure as Prime Minister. However, in April 2000, he suffered a severe stroke and passed away without regaining consciousness in Tokyo in May 2000.

Successor

Following Obuchi's death, Yohei Kono succeeded him as the Secretary General of the LDP on April 5, 2000.