Kanemaru, Shin

▪ 1997

      Japanese politician (b. Sept. 17, 1914, Suwa village, Yamanashi prefecture, Japan—d. March 28, 1996, Yamanashi), served in three Cabinet posts and as deputy prime minister (1986-87), but his real power was exercised behind the scenes, where he was the kingmaker who handpicked at least four prime ministers. He was known as Japan's "godfather" for decades until a bribery and tax-evasion scandal ended his career and the long reign of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Kanemaru was educated at the Tokyo University of Agriculture. He became involved in politics when he was elected (1958) to the Diet (parliament) as an LDP representative for Yamanashi prefecture. A firm supporter of most U.S. policies, Kanemaru in 1960 carried the speaker of Japan's House of Representatives to his seat when opponents of a security treaty with the U.S. blocked the entrance to the chamber. He worked closely with Prime Ministers Kakuei Tanaka and Noboru Takeshita, both members of what later was the party's most powerful faction. He also became very successful at holding the LDP's various factions together and was skilled at procuring government projects and aid for his district. Kanemaru's power was strongest in the 1980s, but in 1992 he had to resign from the Diet and relinquish his post as party vice president when it was revealed that he had accepted over $4 million in bribes. A raid on his home and office uncovered a huge stash of securities, cash, and gold bars. He was indicted on tax-evasion charges the following year, but his health was broken, and his trial was suspended shortly before his death.

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