Kaifu, Toshiki (1932– )

Japanese conservative politician, prime minister 1989–91. A protégé of former premier Takeo Miki, he was selected as a compromise choice as Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president and prime minister in August 1989, following the resignation of Sosuke Uno (1922–98). Kaifu resigned in November 1991, having lost the support of important factional leaders in the LDP, and was replaced by Kiichi Miyazawa. During 1994–95, Kaifu was leader of the Shinshinto (New Frontier Party) opposition coalition.

Kaifu entered politics in 1961, was deputy chief secretary 1974–76 in the Miki cabinet, and was education minister under Nakasone. He is a member of the minor Komoto faction. In 1987 he received what he claimed were legitimate political donations amounting to about $75,000 from a company later accused of bribing a number of LDP politicians (see Recruit scandal). His popularity as prime minister was dented by the unconstitutional proposal, defeated in the Diet, to contribute Japanese forces to the United Nations coalition army in the Gulf area after Iraq's annexation of Kuwait in 1990. His lack of power led to his replacement as prime minister in 1991.