Former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, who died on Friday at the age of 101, was the architect of an era in postwar politics and implemented many reforms. Those close to him remembered his achievements and offered words of condolence.
Tsuneo Watanabe, editor-in-chief and representative director of The Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings, released the following statement:
The death of Mr. Nakasone was as shocking to me as the death of a parent. From the days I was a rank-and-file reporter and Mr. Nakasone was still a backbencher, we had reading sessions every Saturday and we read good books together. When we drank together at night, all we talked about was reading and politics. I don't know anyone else who was such a hard worker and reader. During the administration of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, the retirement age system for Diet members was arbitrarily established. Mr. Nakasone was really angry when he was forced to retire as a lawmaker at the age of 85.
I was also impressed by his simple life. There is no one I admired more than him.
Abe: Leader at a major turning point
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe released a statement on Friday commemorating Nakasone, saying: "He was given a heavy responsibility at a time when our country was facing a difficult situation at home and abroad, including military confrontation between the Eastern and Western blocs, and growing trade friction between Japan and the United States. He served as our leader at a major turning point in postwar history."
On foreign policy, Abe said, "He established a strong Japan-U.S. alliance based on a strong relationship of trust with U.S. President Ronald Reagan, and greatly improved our country's international standing." Regarding domestic policy, Abe added, "He demonstrated strong leadership by placing top priority on administrative reform and achieved significant results, including the privatization of Japanese National Railways."
Gorbachev: Outstanding politician of Japan
Voices of mourning for Nakasone were heard from outside Japan as well.
Former president of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev, 88, released a statement on Friday, saying he was very sorry that his friend, an outstanding politician of Japan, had passed away. Gorbachev became the top leader of the former Soviet Union in 1985 during Nakasone's term as prime minister. He said he stayed in touch with Nakasone even after they left office, and that their conversations were always straightforward.
Kissinger: A treasured friend
Henry Kissinger, 96, who served as U.S. Secretary of State under President Richard Nixon, was a leading scholar of international politics during the Cold War era. In an interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun on Friday, Kissinger said Nakasone was an important leader of Japan and a treasured personal friend.
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