Fukuda Takeo

Born Jan. 14, 1905, in Gumma Prefecture. Japanese political figure and statesman.

The son of a wealthy landowner, Fukuda was educated at law at Tokyo University, graduating in 1929. He then worked in the Ministry of Finance for over 20 years. In 1952 he became a member of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Japan’s national Diet. Fukuda held a succession of government posts, serving as minister of agriculture and forestry (1959–60), minister of finance (1965–66, 1968–71, 1973–74), minister of foreign affairs (1971–72), and deputy prime minister (1974–76). He helped form the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in 1955. Fukuda held a number of responsible party posts and twice served as secretary-general of the LDP (1959, 1966–68). From December 1976 to December 1978 he was chairman of the LDP and prime minister of Japan.