Keizo Obuchi

Keizo Obuchi was a Japanese politician who served as the 84th Prime Minister of Japan from 1998 to 2000. He was also a member of the House of Representatives for 12 terms, representing the Gunma 3rd District. He was the youngest legislator in Japanese history when he was first elected in 1963 at the age of 26. He rose through the ranks of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and held various cabinet positions, such as Chief Cabinet Secretary, Foreign Minister, and LDP Secretary-General. He became the LDP president and the Prime Minister in 1998, succeeding Ryutaro Hashimoto. His premiership was marked by his efforts to revive the Japanese economy, which was suffering from the effects of the Asian financial crisis and the burst of the bubble economy. He implemented fiscal stimulus packages, tax cuts, and banking reforms to boost growth and consumer confidence. He also pursued an active foreign policy, promoting the concept of human security and supporting peacekeeping operations in Kosovo and East Timor. He was known for his personal warmth and his ability to forge consensus among different factions within the LDP and the coalition partners. He was also an avid reader, a fan of historical novels, and a collector of ox figures. He had a close friendship with US President Bill Clinton, who praised him as "one of our closest friends" and "a strong and vibrant leader". Obuchi suffered a massive stroke on April 1, 2000, and slipped into a coma while still in office. He was replaced by Yoshiro Mori on April 5, 2000, and died on May 14, 2000, at the age of 62. He was buried at the Rinshoji Temple in his hometown of Nakanojo. He was survived by his wife Chizuko, an environmental essayist, and his three children. His younger daughter, Yuko Obuchi, followed his footsteps and became a politician, serving as a member of the House of Representatives and a cabinet minister.