Shin Kanemaru (金丸 信 Kanemaru Shin, 17 September 1914 – 28 March 1996) was a Japanese politician who was a significant figure in the political arena of Japan from the 1970s to the early 1990s. He was also Director General of the Japan Defense Agency from 1977 to 1978.
Shin Kanemaru | |
|---|---|
金丸 信 | |
 | |
| Director-General of the Japan Defense Agency | |
| In office 28 November 1977 – 7 December 1978 | |
| Prime Minister | Takeo Fukuda |
| Preceded by | Asao Mihara |
| Succeeded by | Ganri Yamashita |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 September 1914 Suwa, Yamanashi Prefecture, Empire of Japan |
| Died | 28 March 1996 (aged 81) Yamanashi, Japan |
| Political party | Liberal Democratic Party |
| Alma mater | Tokyo University of Agriculture |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Japan |
| Branch/service |  Imperial Japanese Army |
| Years of service | 1938 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 2nd Company, Telegraph Triple Corps, Kwantung Army |
Early life and education
Kanemaru was born in Suwa village (now Minami-arupusu city), Yamanashi Prefecture on 17 September 1914. He began his studies at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and became a teacher upon graduation.
Career
He was conscripted into the army and served briefly in the Kwantung Army as a sergeant from 1937 to 1938. He was discharged due to illness and returned to Japan. After his military service, he entered into the sake brewing business and was later involved in the concrete and souvenir businesses. He was a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and a member of the faction of Noboru Takeshita.
Arrest and indictment
In 1992, he was indicted in the Sagawa Kyubin corruption scandal. He was charged with evading taxes on payments he had received from construction companies that were seeking political influence. He resigned and was arrested on 13 March 1993 after authorities found at least $51 million in bearer bonds and hundreds of pounds of gold stored at his home.
Personal life
He has a son, Shingo Shin. Kanemaru died in Yamanashi on 28 March 1996 at the age of 81.
References
Sources
- William H. Cooper, Japan-U.S. Trade: The Construction Services Issue, U.S. Congressional Research Service: Report for Congress 93-957, November 4, 1993.