Zenko Suzuki

Suzuki was hastily appointed prime minister in July 1980, following the sudden death of Masayoshi Ohira. He served as prime minister until November 1982, when he was succeeded by Yasuhiro Nakasone.

He was known for his efforts to smooth out differences within the fractious Liberal-Democratic Party he inherited, with his methods described as "the politics of harmony."

In foreign policy, Suzuki helped define the close post-World War II relationship between Japan and the United States as an "alliance" following a summit with U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1981.

The Japan Times Weekly: July 24, 2004
(C) All rights reserved