TOKYO: Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, an ardent conservative who worked to forge a stronger military alliance with the United States, died on Friday at the age of 101, an official at his son’s office said.
In office for five years from November 1982 to November 1987, Nakasone was known for trying to transform the nation defeated in World War II into a full-fledged member of the West during the Cold War era.
His efforts to strengthen security ties with Washington came at a time of intensifying trade friction with the United States, the world’s biggest economy.
Describing Washington as “the most important partner for Japan”, he built a friendship with then President Ronald Reagan.
(Agencies)
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