« [SSJ: 218] Info on Pol. Legit. in Japan | Main | [SSJ: 220] RE Party Oriented Voting »

August 23, 1995

[SSJ: 219] Fukuda's China Years

From: Richard J Samuels
Posted Date: 1995/08/23

Hello Forum-ites:

In re the Hiwatari note on Fukuda, I would remind potential biographers of
Fukuda Takeo to pay special attention to his role in China during the war.
Recall that as a young Finance Ministry official, Fukuda Takeo served as an
advisor to the Nanking government. While in China he made a number of important
connections that served him well upon his return to Tokyo, and that he called
upon throughout his political career. These connections included relationships
with Marxist intellectuals. For example, Fukuda met regularly with Tokyo
Governor Minobe when the latter was the leader of progressive political forces
and Fukuda was a senior LDP officials in the 1970's.

There is much we would like to know about Fukuda's politics and about his
political network. Whatever the nature of his leadership and whatever the depth
of his corruption, I suspect the roots are to be found in wartime China.

--------------- Dick Samuels MIT

Approved by ssjmod at 12:00 AM