A Local Politician on the Global Stage: Takeshita Noboru

Abstract

Had the change of political personalities been sharp when Nakasone took over after Suzuki, the shift was equally marked when Takeshita Noburu entered the scene as prime minister in November 1987. The internationally acclaimed and versatile Nakasone was replaced by a politician primarily interested in domestic politics and whose speaking ability was considered poor (Nester, 1990, p. 175). Takeshita’s ascent to power meant a shift ‘back to basics’ in Japanese politics with local politics occupying its centre stage. He was not a dynamic leader like Nakasone but ‘a behind-the-scenes politician who hesitates to move politically until he has constructed a broad consensus behind him’ (Stockwin, 1988a, p. 1). He was ‘a dull, colorless fellow who never had admitted to any political views until he reached the top office’ (Emmott, 1989, p. 205), a worthy disciple of his former faction leader Satō Eisaku.¹ ‘ While Nakasone’s political style was presidential, Takeshita’s was that of a coordinator — the role of a leader was ‘not to pull people along, it is to get the consensus of the people’ (Takeshita quoted in Hayao, 1993, p. 7), and he demonstrated an Ikeda-like urge for national consensus: ‘Seeking a national consensus, I intend to proceed with my policies with the understanding and support of all the parties and groups in the Diet’ (32:297, 27.11.1987).