Former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto

Hashimoto, who was prime minister from January 1996 to July 1998, had been in critical condition after suffering abdominal pain and underwent surgery to remove a large part of his intestines early June.

Hashimoto's second son and lawmaker Gaku Hashimoto said his father died from multiple organ failure and septic shock.

Hashimoto led what was the largest faction in the ruling Liberal-Democratic Party until last July, when he resigned over a political donation scandal. He retired from politics in September citing poor health. He was first elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 1963.

During his political career, Hashimoto's policymaking and analytical skills won him several top Cabinet positions, including trade, finance, and transportation ministers.

The Japan Times Weekly: July 8, 2006
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