Tsutomu Hata

Tsutomu Hata (羽田 孜, Hata Tsutomu) was born on August 24, 1935, in Tokyo, Japan. He was the son of Bushiro Hata, a member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and a Member of Parliament. Hata graduated from Seijo University and was employed by Odakyu Bus Company from 1958 until 1969.

In 1969, Hata was first elected to the House of Representatives of Japan, representing Nagano Prefecture as a member of the LDP. He became a prominent figure within the LDP's Tanaka/Takeshita faction during the 1980s. Throughout his political career, Hata served in several ministerial roles, including as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in the 1980s. He was appointed Minister of Finance in 1991 under Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa.

In 1993, Hata left the LDP to establish the Japan Renewal Party alongside Ichirō Ozawa. The party was part of the anti-LDP coalition that formed Morihiro Hosokawa’s government. During this period, Hata served as Japan’s foreign minister in Hosokawa’s cabinet. Following Hosokawa’s resignation, Hata briefly served as Prime Minister of Japan from April 28 to June 30, 1994. His tenure as prime minister was marked by efforts to implement progressive reforms, including amendments to employment law aimed at encouraging the employment of older persons and establishing the Support Centre for Employment of the Disabled. Additionally, a health insurance law was amended to support employees on childcare leave.

Hata’s brief premiership ended when the Japan Socialist Party withdrew from the coalition, leading to its collapse. Subsequently, Hata lost leadership of the Japan Renewal Party, which merged with the New Frontier Party. He then founded the Sun Party, which later merged into the Good Governance Party. In 1998, this party became part of the Democratic Party of Japan, where Hata served as secretary-general and remained a senior advisor until his death.

In his later years, Hata continued his involvement in political activities. His son, Yuichiro Hata (1967–2020), was a member of the House of Councillors and served as Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism from June 4, 2012.

Hata was recognized for his influence in fashion as well, being associated with the "Hacket," a short-sleeve blazer he called an "E-cool suit," which was considered a forward-thinking choice emphasizing sustainable fashion practices.

Tsutomu Hata died of natural causes on August 28, 2017, in Tokyo, at the age of 82, four days after his birthday.

He received several honors, including the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers from Japan on April 29, 2013, and the Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry from Portugal on December 2, 1993.