Koizumi Junichiro

Koizumi Junichiro

(born Jan. 8, 1942, Yokosuka, Kanagawa prefecture, Japan) Third-generation Japanese politician who was prime minister from 2001 to 2006. Both Koizumi's father and grandfather served in the Diet (parliament). He ran unsuccessfully for his father's seat after the latter's death in 1969 but was elected in 1971. He held ministerial posts in 1988–89, 1992–93, and 1996–98. After unsuccessful bids for the presidency of the Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP) in 1995 and 1998, he won in April 2001 and was soon confirmed as prime minister. An unconventional advocate of reform, Koizumi appointed a cabinet that included a record five women. His economic policies included privatizing the country's postal savings system, reducing government spending, and ending the practice of supporting failing businesses. Due to LDP term limits, Koizumi left office in 2006.