Miki, Takeo

Miki, Takeo, 1907–88, Japanese politician, prime minister of Japan (1974–76). He attended Meiji Univ. and the Univ. of California, Los Angeles, and was first elected to the Diet in 1937. An advocate of friendship with the United States before the war, he was thus able to remain in politics during the American occupation. A member of the Liberal Democratic party (founded in 1955), Miki headed several ministries including communications (1947–48), transport (1954–55), international trade and industry (1965–66), and foreign affairs (1966–68). He was also chairman of the Japan's atomic energy agency (1961–62) and deputy prime minister (1972–74) before succeeding Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, who resigned amid corruption charges.

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