Miki, Takeo (1907-1988), served as prime minister of Japan from December 1974 to December 1976. Miki also headed Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party. He resigned from office after the 1976 elections, in which the Liberal Democrats retained control of the Diet (parliament), but with a smaller margin of victory than in earlier elections. Before and during Miki’s term in office, some members of the Liberal Democratic Party—though not Miki—had been accused of corruption. These charges contributed to the party’s setback.
Miki was born on March 17, 1907, in Donari Town on Shikoku Island, Japan. He entered Meiji University in Tokyo in 1929. Miki went to the United States in 1932. While attending universities there, he held such jobs as lecturer and radio broadcaster for Japanese American audiences. Miki returned to Japan in 1936 and graduated from Meiji University the next year.
In 1937, Miki became the youngest representative ever elected to the Diet up to that time. He won reelection to the Diet a record 16 times. Miki served as deputy prime minister from 1972 to 1974. Through the years, he also held nine cabinet posts and various offices in his party. He died on Nov. 14, 1988.
