OBUT Keizo (Obuchi Keizo)

(1937-2000)
Born in Nakanodze near Tokyo, June 25, 1937 in the family businessman and politician. He graduated from the University Vashedy, receiving a degree in the history of English literature in 1962. In 1963 he was elected to Parliament from the Liberal Democratic Party, the party made a career and in 1987 was appointed Chief Cabinet Secretary Noboru Takeshita. In 1991 became LDP secretary general, and in 1992 the head of the largest faction within the LDP. In 1997 he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs. In July 1998, following the resignation of Hashimoto, who became leader of the LDP, and then the decision of the lower house of Parliament - Prime Minister. During the visit of Korean President Kim Dae-jung Obuchi made the unprecedented statement that Japan apologize for the Japanese occupation of the Korean Peninsula in 1910-1945. In September 1999, Obuchi was re-elected leader of the LDP, thus extending his term as prime. In April 2000, suffered a severe stroke and died without regaining consciousness in Tokyo in May 2000. Obuchi's successor (from 5 April 2000) became LDP secretary general Yoshiro Mori.