Hiroshi Miyazawa facts for kids

Hiroshi Miyazawa (宮澤 弘, Miyazawa Hiroshi, 22 September 1921 – 26 May 2012) was an important Japanese politician. He served as the governor of Hiroshima Prefecture from 1973 to 1981. Later, he became the Minister of Justice for Japan from 1995 to 1996.

Life and Early Career

Hiroshi Miyazawa was born on September 22, 1921. He grew up in Fukuyama, a city in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. He was the younger brother of Kiichi Miyazawa, who also became a very famous politician.

Miyazawa studied at Tokyo Imperial University. This is one of the most respected universities in Japan. His education prepared him for a career in public service.

Becoming Governor of Hiroshima

In December 1973, Hiroshi Miyazawa was elected as the governor of Hiroshima. He ran as a candidate for the Liberal Democratic Party. This party is one of the main political parties in Japan.

He won against Noriaki Yamada, who was the candidate from the Japanese Communist Party. As governor, Miyazawa believed that local leaders should have more power. He worked to give more independence to local governments.

Serving as Justice Minister

On October 9, 1995, Miyazawa was chosen for a very important role. He became the Minister of Justice for Japan. He took over this position from Tomoharu Tazawa.

As Justice Minister, Miyazawa was in charge of Japan's legal system. This included courts, prisons, and making sure laws were followed. During his time in office, he worked to address challenges related to public safety.

Advocacy for Children

Even after leaving his government roles, Miyazawa continued to speak out on important issues. In September 2000, he wrote an article for the Asahi Shimbun newspaper. He wrote this as a private citizen.

In his article, Miyazawa shared his concerns. He criticized local authorities in Japan for not allowing certain children to attend schools. He believed that all children should have the right to an education.

Later Life and Legacy

Hiroshi Miyazawa passed away on May 26, 2012. He was 90 years old. He died in Shibuya, a district in Tokyo, Japan.

Miyazawa is remembered for his dedication to public service. He worked to improve local governance in Hiroshima. He also played a key role in Japan's justice system. His efforts helped shape important policies in Japan.