Hiroshi Mitsuzuka

was a veteran Japanese politician. He was a member of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan. He represented his party at the House of Representatives from 1972 to 2003. In addition, he served as transport minister, international trade minister, finance minister and foreign affairs minister.

Early life and education Mitsuzuka was born in the town of Misato, Miyagi prefecture, on 1 August 1927. He first received a degree in veterinary medicine. being a member of the Seirankai. He was also Kokkai secretary. He held significant posts in the LDP, including policy research council chairman and secretary general. On 20 June 1991, Mitsuzuka became leader of the Abe faction in the LDP, inheriting it after Abe's death in 1991. His election as faction leader led to the collapse of the solid coalition between the Takeshita faction, led by Noboru Takeshita, and Abe faction in the party. The Abe faction was later renamed as the Mitsuzuka faction under his leadership. His faction became one of the five influential factions in the LDP at the beginning of the 1990s. In December 1992, the faction was the largest group in the LDP with 73 members.

In 1991, Mitsuzuka ran for the LDP president, but lost the election, and Kiichi Miyazawa became the president of the party.

Ministerial career Mitsuzuka's first ministerial post was the minister of transport in the cabinet led by Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita. replacing Hajime Tamura in the post. His term continued until 1989. When Mitsuzuka was in office, he harshly criticised the Japan firms, arguing that they created an image of Japan as "trying to make money like a thief at fire." His term as foreign minister lasted until August 1989.

Mitsuzuka was appointed minister of finance in the second cabinet of Ryutaro Hashimoto on 7 November 1996, replacing Wataru Kubo in the post. He resigned from office on 28 January 1998 to take responsibility for corrupt behavior by the officials at the ministry, although he was not personally involved in the incident. Hikaru Matsunaga succeeded him as finance minister on 1 February 1998.

Other positions and retirement Mitsuzuka served as chairman of the Japan Palau Friendship Diet Representatives' Association. He retired from politics in August 2003 due to health concerns. He was 76.