Former Japanese PM Tsutomu Hata dies aged 82

Former Japanese Prime Minister Tsutomu Hata, who served as 80th Prime Minister of Japan for 9 weeks in 1994, died of natural causes on Monday at the age of 82, Japanese media reported, citing sources close to the family.

His funeral is slated for Sept. 8 at Aoyama Funeral Hall in Tokyo.

Hata headed a coalition government for two months between April and June 1994 — the second shortest stint in the postwar era — while leading the now-defunct Japan Renewal Party.

Tsutomu Hata

Hata had also held a number of Cabinet portfolio, including agriculture minister, finance minister and foreign minister, between 1988 and 1994.

He was first elected to the Lower House from a constituency in Nagano Prefecture in 1969 and retired from politics in 2012.

His son, Yuichiro, is an Upper House lawmaker from the Democratic Party.

(JAPANTIMES)