Yoshio Sakurauchi

was a Japanese politician and a significant member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). He was speaker of the House of Representatives of which he was a member for 53 years.

Early life and education Sakurauchi was born in Tokyo on 8 May 1912. He was the son of Yukio Sakurauchi, a lower house member and finance minister. Yoshio Sakurauchi attended the Keio schools from kindergarten through Keio University.

Political career Sakurauchi began his political career in 1947 when he was first elected to the lower house of Parliament. His constituency included Kashima. In addition, he was leader of the Kano faction in the LDP. Then the faction was headed by Michio Watanabe. Sakurauchi continued to serve in the same post in the next cabinet headed by Prime Minister Eisaku Satō, but he was fired and replaced by Miki Takeo in June 1965.

Sakurauchi was appointed the secretary general of the LDP on 16 November 1979. During his term, he called for making the Yasukuni Shrine a state shrine. His term lasted until 30 November 1981 when he was named foreign minister. Susumu Nikaido replaced him as the secretary general of the LDP.

Sakurachi also served as the head of the LDP's chief policy-making body. In January 1992, he argued that the United States' economic problems resulted from its work force since the US workers were "too lazy" to compete with Japan, and that nearly a third of its workers "cannot even read." Sakurachi's term as speaker ended on 18 June 1993 and Takako Doi became the speaker.

Sakurauchi was not included in the LDP's proportional representation list for the 25 June 2000 general elections, and he stated that he would retire from politics. Eventually, he retired from politics in June 2000. He was 91. In 1981 he also received the highest distinction of the Scout Association of Japan, the Golden Pheasant Award.

The Government of India awarded him the third highest civilian honour of the Padma Bhushan, in 1989, for his contributions to public affairs.