12 Facts About Wataru Kubo

Wataru Kubo was a Japanese politician from the Japan Socialist Party, and then from the Democratic Party of Japan.

Wataru Kubo served as deputy prime minister and finance minister of Japan from 11 January 1996 to 7 November 1996.

Wataru Kubo finished Kagoshima Normal School and entered Department of Western History, Hiroshima University of Literature and Science.

Wataru Kubo received a bachelor's degree from Hiroshima University of Literature and Science in 1952.

Wataru Kubo was first elected to the upper house in July 1974 from Kagoshima at-large district.

Wataru Kubo was chief finance policy strategist and deputy chairman of the party.

Wataru Kubo served as deputy prime minister and finance minister from 11 January to 7 November 1996 in the first cabinet of Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto that was a coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party, the SDP and New Party Sakigake.

Wataru Kubo's term ended when Hashimoto inaugurated his second cabinet and the coalition parties SPD and New Party Sakigake remained outside the government.

Wataru Kubo left the SPD on 6 January 1997 due to the disagreements with the SPD chief Takako Doi.

Wataru Kubo retired from politics as a member of the DPJ in June 2001 after serving four terms at the upper house, being a representative of Kagoshima Prefecture.

Wataru Kubo received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, Japan's top award for contributions to the state and society, in November 2001.

Wataru Kubo died at a hospital in Kagoshima on 24 June 2003.