26 Facts About Noboru Takeshita

Noboru Takeshita was a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 1987 to 1989 during the bubble economy.

Noboru Takeshita was dubbed the "last shadow shogun" for his behind-the-scenes influence in Japanese politics.

Noboru Takeshita was the last prime minister to serve during the long rule of Emperor Showa.

Noboru Takeshita is the grandfather of musician and actor Daigo.

Noboru Takeshita was born on 26 February 1924, in present-day Unnan, Shimane Prefecture, the son of a sake brewer.

Noboru Takeshita's family had been sake brewers for generations, and Takeshita was the 20th head of the Takeshita brewing family.

Noboru Takeshita married prior to joining the Imperial Japanese Army to serve as an instructor during World War II.

Noboru Takeshita's wife committed suicide while he was away for the war, which author Jacob Schlesinger argued made Takeshita obsessive about his composure and highly reserved about showing anger to others.

Noboru Takeshita served as a local assemblyman in Shimane Prefecture from 1951.

Noboru Takeshita was elected at the same time as Shin Kanemaru, and the two remained close allies through their respective political careers.

Noboru Takeshita eventually became Tanaka's primary fundraiser, traveling the country to garner support for the LDP's coffers.

Noboru Takeshita served as chief cabinet secretary from 1971 to 1974 and as minister of construction in 1976.

Noboru Takeshita was the minister of finance from 1979 to 1980, and he again accepted the finance position and was in office from 1982 to 1986.

In February 1985, Noboru Takeshita formed a "study group" called Soseikai, which counted among its ranks 43 of the 121 Tanaka faction members.

Tanaka never recovered from his stroke, and by July 1987, Noboru Takeshita's faction counted 113 of the 143 Tanaka faction members, while only thirteen supported Noboru Takeshita's rival Susumu Nikaido.

The Tanaka faction members who moved to Noboru Takeshita's faction included Ichiro Ozawa, Tsutomu Hata, Ryutaro Hashimoto, Keizo Obuchi and Kozo Watanabe.

In July 1986 Noboru Takeshita left the Cabinet and was named to the key post of secretary general of the party.

In November 1987, Noboru Takeshita became president of the LDP and was thus elected Prime Minister of Japan, replacing Yasuhiro Nakasone.

Noboru Takeshita attended the third annual ASEAN summit in Manila in December 1987 and formalised a $2 billion development fund package in order to help stimulate ASEAN economies, continuing previous efforts at enhancing Japanese relations with East Asian countries.

Noboru Takeshita pursued diplomacy in the rest of the world, including tours of several western nations as well as discussions for debt forgiveness to developing countries.

Noboru Takeshita's government passed legislation liberalizing the beef, citrus and rice markets, and passed an enhanced security pact with the United States, with the support of Shin Kanemaru who bought the opposition's support.

Noboru Takeshita remained a major behind-the-scenes player in the LDP, mentoring future prime ministers Sosuke Uno, Toshiki Kaifu, and Keizo Obuchi.

Noboru Takeshita himself died of respiratory failure in June 2000 after over a year in hospital, during which time he was said to have "masterminded" the coalition between the LDP and New Komeito and to have arranged the election of Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori from his hospital bed.

Noboru Takeshita had planned to retire from the Diet as of the 2000 general election, which occurred just days after his death.

Noboru Takeshita was twice married, and survived by three daughters and several grandchildren, including singer Daigo and manga artist Eiki Eiki.

Noboru Takeshita's younger brother, Wataru Takeshita was born on 1946 and was a reporter with NHK, then began working for Noboru as an aide in 1985.