Hayato Ikeda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hayato Ikeda
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| 池田 勇人 | |
Ikeda in 1962
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| Prime Minister of Japan | |
| In office 19 July 1960 – 9 November 1964 |
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| Monarch | Shōwa |
| Preceded by | Nobusuke Kishi |
| Succeeded by | Eisaku Satō |
| Minister of Finance | |
| In office 23 December 1956 – 10 July 1957 |
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| Prime Minister | Tanzan Ishibashi |
| Preceded by | Hisato Ichimada |
| Succeeded by | Hisato Ichimada |
| In office 16 February 1949 – 30 October 1952 |
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| Prime Minister | Shigeru Yoshida |
| Preceded by | Shinzō Ōya (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Tadaharu Mukai |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 23 January 1949 – 13 August 1965 |
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| Constituency | Hiroshima |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 December 1899 Takehara, Empire of Japan |
| Died | 13 August 1965 (aged 65) Tokyo, Japan |
| Political party | Liberal Democratic Party |
| Other political affiliations |
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| Alma mater | Kyoto Imperial University |
| Signature |  |
Hayato Ikeda (池田 勇人, Ikeda Hayato, 3 December 1899 – 13 August 1965) was an important Japanese leader. He served as the Prime Minister of Japan from 1960 to 1964. A prime minister is the head of the government in many countries.
Ikeda is famous for his "Income Doubling Plan." This plan aimed to double Japan's total economic output, called GDP, in just ten years. He also helped improve relations between Japan and the United States. Plus, he was in charge when Tokyo hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Hayato Ikeda was born on December 3, 1899, in a place called Yoshina, in Hiroshima Prefecture. He was the youngest of seven children.
He went to Kyoto University and then joined the Ministry of Finance in 1925. The Ministry of Finance is like the government department that handles money and taxes. He worked in tax offices in different cities. In 1929, he got sick and had to take time off. He got better by 1934.
Ikeda returned to the Ministry of Finance and stayed there until after World War II. By 1947, he became the Vice Minister of Finance. This was a very high position.
Starting in Politics
In 1948, Ikeda left the Ministry of Finance to become a politician. He won a seat in the House of Representatives in 1949. This is like being a member of parliament. He represented a part of Hiroshima Prefecture.
He helped start the Democratic Liberal Party. This party later became the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which is a major political party in Japan today. Ikeda was a close student of Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida. He was known for sticking to Yoshida's ideas for Japan's future.
In 1949, Ikeda became the Minister of Finance. He worked with an American advisor to create a new economic plan called the "Dodge Line." This plan helped stabilize Japan's money system. He also visited the United States to prepare for Japan and the U.S. to work together on security after the war.
In the 1950s, Ikeda sometimes said things that made him seem out of touch. For example, he once suggested that poor people should eat more barley instead of expensive white rice. This made some people think he didn't understand their daily lives. Despite this, he remained an important leader in the LDP. He served as Minister of Finance again in 1956 and held other important roles.
Becoming Prime Minister
Ikeda became the leader of the LDP and Prime Minister in July 1960. This was a very difficult time for Japan. The previous prime minister, Nobusuke Kishi, had faced huge protests. These were called the Anpo Protests and were about a security treaty with the U.S. The protests were so big that the U.S. president's visit was canceled. Kishi had to resign.
Ikeda also inherited a big worker dispute at the Miike Coal Mine. Miners were clashing with people sent to break their strike. Many people thought Ikeda would only be prime minister for a short time. He was known for being a bit unpopular.
However, Ikeda surprised everyone. He changed his image. He adopted a "low posture," meaning he was more humble and willing to work with others. His slogan was "Tolerance and Patience." He also changed his look, wearing lighter suits and different glasses to seem more friendly.
Most importantly, Ikeda announced his "Income Doubling Plan." This was a bold promise to double Japan's economy in ten years. He planned to do this with tax breaks, government investments, and better social support for people. This new image and plan were very popular. Ikeda won the election easily that fall.
Key Actions as Prime Minister
When he became prime minister, Ikeda quickly worked to end the conflict at the Miike mine. He sent his Labor Minister to help the miners and the company agree to a solution. This ended the year-long dispute in December 1960.
Ikeda also focused on fixing Japan's relationship with the U.S. He promised to support U.S. policies during the Cold War. This was a period of tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. He met with U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1961. At this meeting, Ikeda promised Japan's support, and Kennedy promised to treat Japan like a close friend.
Ikeda also strongly promoted Japanese trade with other countries. He wanted to boost Japan's economy by selling more goods abroad. The government invested in industries like high-tech manufacturing. By 1962, Japan was becoming known for exporting electronics, not just toys.
At home, Ikeda kept his promise to improve social support. In 1961, a national pension system was created. This helped people save for retirement. A system for universal health insurance was also started. This meant more people had access to healthcare. Laws were passed to help people with disabilities find jobs and to provide care for older people.
In 1963, Ikeda was still very popular and won a second term as prime minister. He worked to reduce disagreements within his own party. He even brought his rivals into his government. One rival, Ichirō Kōno, helped plan the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. These Olympics were a big success and showed the world how much Japan had recovered after the war.
Ikeda also made a big decision about Japan's constitution. He announced that his party would not try to change Article 9. This article says Japan cannot have a military. This decision was against what many conservatives in his party wanted. But it helped bring stability to Japanese politics.
Retirement and Passing
In September 1964, Ikeda became very ill with cancer. On October 25, the day after the 1964 Tokyo Olympics ended, he announced he was stepping down. He chose Eisaku Satō to be his successor. This helped avoid a big fight within his party over who would be the next leader.
Ikeda passed away on August 13, 1965, at the age of 65.
Legacy and Impact
Historians say that Hayato Ikeda helped make Japanese politics more stable. His "low posture" and willingness to work with others helped calm down political arguments. He made the LDP a strong party that could win many votes from different groups of people. His decision not to change the constitution also helped Japan have stable conservative rule for many years.
Ikeda's "Income Doubling Plan" was a huge success. Japan's economy grew much faster than expected. It doubled in less than seven years, not ten! This plan helped Japan's "economic miracle" continue for a long time. Many believe Ikeda was the most important person in Japan's fast economic growth. He helped unite the country around the goal of economic growth.
Honors
Domestic honors
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum (13 August 1965; given after his death)
- Senior Second Rank (13 August 1965; given after his death)
Foreign honor
- Malaya: Honorary Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (S.M.N.) (1964)
See also
In Spanish: Hayato Ikeda para niños
- Kōchikai
- Income Doubling Plan
- Japanese post-war economic miracle
- Osamu Shimomura
