Yoshiro Mori

Quick Facts: Who was Yoshiro Mori?

Subject:

Yoshiro Mori

Known for:

Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 2000 to 2001.

Born:

1937-07-14

Century / Era:

1937s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Yoshirō Mori (Japanese: 森 喜朗, Hepburn: Mori Yoshirō; born 14 July 1937) is a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan and President of the Liberal Democratic Party from 2000 to 2001. Born in present-day Nomi, Ishikawa, Japan, Mori worked as a journalist before entering politics. In 1969, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the Ishikawa 2nd district. He served in government as education minister in 1983 and 1984, international trade and industry minister in 1992 and 1993, and construction minister in 1995 and 1996, and later became secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). After Keizō Obuchi suffered a stroke and cerebral hemorrhage on 2 April 2000 and was unable to continue in office, Mori became president of the LDP and prime minister, weeks before Obuchi's death.

Career & Major Achievements

Media coverage of Mori's term as prime minister was dominated by his gaffes and undiplomatic comments, which led to him becoming unpopular in opinion polls. Members of his cabinet resigned due to fundraising scandals, which also contributed to his unpopularity. In November 2000, with Mori's approval ratings below 30%, opposition politicians attempted to win a vote of no confidence against Mori by soliciting support from rebels within the LDP, although this was quashed after LDP politicians who voted for the measure were threatened with expulsion. Towards the end of Mori's term, his approval rating dropped to single digits. In April 2001, Mori officially announced his intention to resign.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Junichiro Koizumi won the subsequent LDP leadership election and became prime minister on 26 April 2001. After resigning as prime minister, Mori remained a member of the House of Representatives until announcing in July 2012 that he would not stand in the 2012 general election. He remained an important player in Russo-Japanese relations due to his close personal relationship with Vladimir Putin. Following his premiership, Mori served as the President of the Japan Rugby Football Union as well as the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union. In 2014, he was appointed to head the organizing committee for the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, but resigned ahead of the games' opening following gaffes made at a committee meeting that were perceived as sexist.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1937 (1937-07-14): Birth of Yoshiro Mori — Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 2000 to 2001.
2. 1969: 1969 Milestone — In 1969, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the Ishikawa 2nd district.
3. 1983: 1983 Milestone — He served in government as education minister in 1983 and 1984, international trade and industry minister in 1992 and 1993, and construction minister in 1995 and 1996, and later became secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
4. 2000: 2000 Milestone — After Keizō Obuchi suffered a stroke and cerebral hemorrhage on 2 April 2000 and was unable to continue in office, Mori became president of the LDP and prime minister, weeks before Obuchi's death.
5. 2001: 2001 Milestone — In April 2001, Mori officially announced his intention to resign.
6. 2012: 2012 Milestone — After resigning as prime minister, Mori remained a member of the House of Representatives until announcing in July 2012 that he would not stand in the 2012 general election.
7. 2014: 2014 Milestone — In 2014, he was appointed to head the organizing committee for the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, but resigned ahead of the games' opening following gaffes made at a committee meeting that were perceived as sexist.

Notable Quotes by Yoshiro Mori

“In rugby, one person doesn't become a star, one person plays for all, and all play for one.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Yoshiro Mori

True or False: “Mori Yoshirō was elected to the House of Representatives immediately after graduating from Waseda University.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He joined Sankei Shimbun after university and did not enter politics until 1962, when he became a secretary of a Diet member.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdelaziz Bouteflika — Contemporary (Born in 1937) (1937): Algerian politician who served as the seventh President of Algeria from 1999 to 2019.
• Alain Badiou — Contemporary (Born in 1937) (1937): Influential French philosopher known for 'Being and Event' and universalism.
• Alberto de Oliveira — Contemporary (Died in 1937) (1937): Brazilian poet, pharmacist, and professor, known by the pen name Alberto de Oliveira.
• Alphonse Mucha — Shared historical date (07-14 · Died) (1939): Master of Art Nouveau, famed for decorative posters and The Slav Epic.
• Angélique Kidjo — Shared historical date (07-14 · Born) (1960): Esteemed French-Beninese musician, activist, and cultural ambassador.
• Aleksandr Medved — Historical peer (Born in 1937) (1937): Legendary Soviet/Belarussian freestyle wrestler, celebrated for Olympic dominance.
• Alfred Adler — Historical peer (Died in 1937) (1937): Founder of Individual Psychology, emphasizing social interest and belonging.
• A. D. Hope — Historical peer (Died in 2000) (2000): Australian poet and essayist celebrated for his satirical wit and academic career.
• A. E. van Vogt — Historical peer (Died in 2000) (2000): Influential Canadian-American science fiction writer known for bizarre narratives.
• Aaliyah — Historical peer (Died in 2001) (2001): Pioneering R&B artist known for redefining urban pop and hip hop sounds.
• 1937 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1937
• July 14 (07-14) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on July 14

Frequently Asked Questions about Yoshiro Mori