Suzuki, Zenkō (1911–2004)

Japanese politician. Originally a socialist member of the Diet in 1947, he became a conservative (Liberal Democrat) in 1949, and was prime minister 1980–82. He was known for his mediating and diplomatic skills both within his own government and in his dealings with Western countries.

The son of a fisherman, he was born in Iwate Prefecture in the Tohoku region of northern Japan, and graduated from Tokyo University of Fisheries in 1935. He served for 13 terms in the Japanese parliament and an unprecedented ten terms as party leader. He was appointed prime minister after the sudden death of Masayoshi Ohira in 1980; he did not seek reelection in 1982.