Yutaka Miyazawa

Yutaka Miyazawa (born January 12, 1884 – May 23, 1963) was a Japanese politician who served six terms as a member of the House of Representatives. After working at the Nagano Prefectural Office, he briefly entered the business world, and later served as secretary to various ministers in the Ministry of Communications and the Home Ministry. In the 14th general election of 1928, he ran from Hiroshima's 3rd district and was elected, subsequently being re-elected six consecutive times. During his time as a legislator, he held positions such as Deputy Minister of Railways and Advisor to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Yutaka Miyazawa was born in Kanemi Village, Numakuma District, Hiroshima Prefecture (now Kanie Town, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima). His father was Rokichi, and his grandfather was Kijuro. Despite their impoverished circumstances, his father was devoted to education. When Miyazawa graduated from the village elementary school, his family struggled financially but managed to send him to Fukuyama Middle School. After graduating from middle school, Miyazawa aspired to attend a higher-level high school but, due to family circumstances, found it difficult to continue his education locally. He traveled to Kyoto, where he worked part-time as a streetcar conductor while earning his tuition.

While working in Kyoto, Miyazawa met someone who offered to assist with his educational expenses, receiving support that allowed him to enroll in the Political Science Department of the Law Faculty at Tokyo Imperial University. After graduating from the university, he joined the Home Ministry but felt that a bureaucratic life was not suited to him. He eventually transitioned into the business sector, working for Yamashita Kisen. He was favored by President Kamezaburo Yamashita and was introduced to his friend Heiji Ogawa. Through family connections, he established kinship ties with the Ogawa family.

In the 1928 general election, Miyazawa ran as a candidate from Hiroshima's 3rd district and was elected. He was re-elected several times thereafter, engaging in long-term legislative activity. Before World War II, he was active in political activities, including criticizing the judiciary during the Red Purge incidents, voicing concerns about judicial officials' radicalization, and criticizing educator Yukitatsu Takikawa. He was also from the same hometown as Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda and maintained a friendly relationship, including assisting with his marriage arrangements. Miyazawa’s eldest son, Kiichi Miyazawa, later became Prime Minister of Japan.

After graduating from Hiroshima Prefectural Fukuyama Seirinkan High School (formerly Fukuyama Middle School) and attending Tokyo Imperial University, Miyazawa worked at the Home Ministry before transitioning to the business world and entering politics. After World War II, he was purged from public office but retired in 1952, entrusting his political legacy to his eldest son. He died in 1963 at the age of 79.

According to personal testimonies, Miyazawa lived in an old house in the mountains and was known to be diligent. It is also said that while attending Fukuyama Middle School, he walked four hours daily through the Sanan area to attend school.