Hiroko Satō

Kōko Satō (January 5, 1907 – April 16, 1987), born in Tabuse Village, Toyoura District, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan (now Tabuse Town). She was the daughter of Sōsuke Satō, the head of the Satō family clan, and her mother was Sato Fuji. Her father graduated from Tokyo Imperial University and served as a professor at Okayama Medical College. In 1911, Sōsuke Satō passed away, and the family moved to Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, with the assistance of Yōjirō Matsuoka. She graduated from Aoyama Girls' Academy with a major in English.

In 1926, she married Sato Eisaku, and they had two sons, Ryutaro and Shinji. Her husband Sato Eisaku served as Japan’s Prime Minister from 1964 to 1972, making her the First Lady during his tenure.

In 1969, during the Japan-Okinawa Reversion Treaty signing, she accompanied her husband on a visit to the United States and attracted attention for wearing a miniskirt. After her husband suffered a stroke, she refused medical treatment, which sparked controversy.

Sato Eisaku passed away on June 3, 1975. Kōko Satō was a fan of the performer Yuki Sōjū and served as the president of her fan club. She authored the book "The Secret Record of the Prime Minister's Wife, Kōko Satō." She also served as the honorary chairman of Funabashi Preparatory School.

She passed away in 1987 at the age of 80.