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Article: What about Kaifu? (Japan; Toshiki Kaifu)
- Article from:
- The Economist (US)
- Article date:
- August 5, 1989
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1989 Economist Newspaper Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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What about Kaifu?
SOME of Japan's foremost politicians do not want to be Japan's prime minister. Not yet, anyway. Tempting as it may be to be the leader of an economic superpower, they do not want to throw away their careers for the sake of a brief moment of glory. That is why they threw their weight this week behind a dispensable younger man, Mr Toshiki Kaifu. The 58-year-old Mr Kaifu has grabbed his chance. He may yet regret it, but the party's older men may just possibly regret it more.
Mr Uno was also tempted and took his chance. Two months ago he replaced Mr Noboru Takeshita, who had been forced to resign over the Recruit shares-for-favours ...