Posted on 06/16/2018 1:04:23 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
TOKYO -- Former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone gave a positive evaluation of the first-ever U.S.-North Korea summit as he appeared in public on June 15 for the first time since he turned 100 late last month.
"Because of the U.S.-North Korea summit talks, Northeast Asia, including our country, is about to make huge headway," Nakasone told a Tokyo news conference organized by the Nakasone Yasuhiro Peace Institute, which he heads, and the Seoul Forum for International Affairs (SFIA).
The institute and the SFIA, chaired by former South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hong-koo, issued a joint statement at the conference underscoring the need for the two countries to develop their relations based on the five principles of democracy, peace, human rights, rule of law and freedom.
Nakasone, who turned 100 on May 27, appeared at the June 15 conference on a wheelchair, listening to the announcement of the statement and occasionally clapping his hands.
In his speech, which lasted about two minutes, Nakasone recalled that the destination of his first overseas trip as prime minister was South Korea.
"As someone who experienced war and has been involved in politics for many years, I think Japan-South Korea ties represent one of our most important bilateral relationships," he said.
"Further sustained efforts are necessary to contribute to regional peace and stability. Our two countries should continue such efforts without swinging from joy to sorrow in response to changes in the international situation," Nakasone stated....
(Excerpt) Read more at mainichi.jp ...
First a mouse, and then a man....
What a blast from the past. I remember him from the Reagan era. The only WW2 vet to serve as Japanese PM, he had something of a cocky ‘we’re back’ attitude... and those were the days when a lot of folks were afraid of Japan Inc taking over the world. Kind of a high-water period for them. Amazing that he’s still around.
I recall in the late 1960s through the early ‘80s when many items were marked “Made in Japan” including my motorcycle and stereo.
My father-in-law’s brother served in Nakasone’s cabinet. The sights they must have seen in their lives....
“I recall in the late 1960s through the early ‘80s when many items were marked “Made in Japan” including my motorcycle and stereo.”
In the early 70s we LAUGHED at “Made in Japan”. By 1980, we didn’t laugh anymore. Today, when I see something made in Japan, be it a car or a rice cooker, I know it is THE BEST!
Regarding Nakasone, I SERIOUSLY DOUBT that there has ever been a ruler of a major country to live to 100 years old - possibly any country. Just amazing!
He was PM 30 plus years ago so he was much younger.
The reigning King of Thailand recently died at 102. At the time he was the oldest and longest serving head of state. The Queen of England now holds both distinctions. Robert Mugabe is older then the Queen so was actually the oldest active head of state for a short time. He has finally been retired. He is a couple of months older than George H.W. Bush.
The Dead or Alive website lists the following political leaders
Javier Pérez de Cuéllar 98 01/19/1920 Prime Minister of Peru for about 9 months in 2000/2001. ALSO Sexy General of the UN.
Richard von Weizsäcker 98 04/15/1920 Richard Karl Freiherr von Weizsäcker was a German politician, who served as President of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1984 to 1994.
Luis Echeverría Álvarez 96 1/17/1922 Former president of Mexico (1970-1976)
The website claims to update within a couple of days of a death but kept David Rockefeller up for months. They are listing Malcom Toon who died in 2009.
http://www.deadoraliveinfo.com/dead.Nsf/viewdocs-nf/oldpeople
Thanks for info! I did know that Nagasone was the leader long ago. As it is, he may just break the record!
I should have checked my facts before posting.
Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, 92 (born 10 July 1925) is currently serving as the Prime Minister of Malaysia for the second time. His term began in May making him the oldest currently serving head of state. The Queen is second oldest again.
He was not the head of state I was thinking of who it turns out died at 88. Bhumibol Adulyadej 5 December 1927 – 13 October 2016), was the ninth monarch of Thailand from the Chakri dynasty as Rama IX. Reigning since 9 June 1946 he was, at the time of his death, the world’s longest-reigning head of state, the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history and the longest-reigning monarch having reigned only as an adult, reigning for 70 years, 126 days.
I don’t know why I thought he was 102.
Top ten oldest ever since 1800 [interestingly most are Asian] Two are still alive, 18 days different in age and would become the oldest if they live about a year and a half.
Rank Name Position Birth Death Age
1 Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum Prime Minister of Cambodia (1962) 1905 2009 103 years, 143 days
2 Celâl Bayar Prime Minister of Turkey (1937–1939)
President (1950–1960) 1883 1986 103 years, 98 days
3 Antoine Pinay Prime Minister of France (1952–1953) 1891 1994 102 years, 348 days
4 Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni Prime Minister of Japan (1945) 1887 1990 102 years, 48 days
5 Ek Yi Oun Prime Minister of Cambodia (1958) 1910 2013 102 years, 1 day to 103 years, 364 days (birth and death dates unknown)
6 Willem Drees Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1948–1958) 1886 1988 101 years, 314 days
7 Zhang Qun Premier of the Republic of China (1947–1948) 1889 1990 101 years, 219 days
8 Do Morio Prime Minister of Vietnam (1988–1991)
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (1991–1997) 1917 Alive 101 years, 133 days
9 Piet de Jong Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1967–1971) 1915 2016 101 years, 115 days
10 Babiker Awadalla Prime Minister of Sudan (1969) 1917 Alive 101 years, 105 days
Incredible - learn everything here!
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