Tanaka, Kakuei

born May 4, 1918, Kariwa, Niigata prefecture, Japan

died Dec. 16, 1993, Tokyo

Prime minister of Japan (1972–74).

As prime minister, Tanaka pushed through many government construction projects and was responsible for the economic revitalization of much of western Japan and for establishing diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. In 1976 he was charged with accepting, while prime minister, $2 million from Lockheed Aircraft Corp. to influence All Nippon Airways to buy Lockheed jets; he was convicted in 1983. However, he remained powerful in the Liberal-Democratic Party until he retired from politics in 1990.

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▪ 1994

      Japanese politician (b. May 4, 1918, Kariwa, Japan—d. Dec. 16, 1993, Tokyo, Japan), was Japan's prime minister from 1972 until late 1974, when a corruption scandal forced him to resign. Tanaka established a construction company when he was 18. After brief army service he became ill, was discharged (1941), and returned to his business, which prospered, largely because of military contracts, making him one of Japan's richest men. Tanaka was elected to the Diet (parliament) in 1947 and, rising rapidly through the ranks of the Liberal-Democratic Party, went on to serve in a number of Cabinet posts. In 1972 he staged a surprising upset victory in the battle for party leader and thus became prime minister. Shortly thereafter he normalized relations with China, and he pushed through many government projects and helped revitalize much of western Japan. In 1974, however, allegations that he had profited illegally from financial dealings made possible by his high office led to his resignation. Two years later he was arrested on charges of having accepted bribes from the Lockheed Aircraft Corp. to influence the purchase of jet airliners by All Nippon Airways. His trial lasted until 1983 and ended in conviction. He was fined and sentenced to four years in prison, but his conviction was under appeal. Tanaka continued to be politically powerful, however, and served as his party's kingmaker, influencing the choice of several successive prime ministers. The effects of a stroke in 1985 eventually caused him to retire from politics in 1990.

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