Zenko Suzuki, 93; Appointed Japanese Prime Minister in ‘80s
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Zenko Suzuki, 93, a former prime minister of Japan, died of pneumonia Monday at a hospital in Tokyo, the Kyodo news agency reported.
A member of Japan’s long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Suzuki was appointed prime minister in July 1980 after the sudden death of his predecessor, Masayoshi Ohira. Suzuki took over during a period marked by instability as cabinets frequently changed and factional politics splintered parties.
In foreign affairs, he helped define the close post-World War II relationship between Japan and the United States as an “alliance” after a summit with President Reagan in 1981.
He also was known for his blunders, including his handling of allegations -- immediately before a scheduled trip to Beijing in 1982 -- that Education Ministry officials were trying to gloss over Japan’s wartime aggression in China in its official textbooks.
Suzuki also drew criticism that he lacked the leadership skills necessary to push through his pledges on fiscal reform.
He resigned in 1982 amid the escalating textbook scandal and was succeeded by Yasuhiro Nakasone, one of Japan’s longest-serving prime ministers.
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