Ichirō Ozawa pays respects to the late former Prime Minister Tanaka Kakuei
According to a report from Japan's Kyodo News Agency on May 19: Former member of the House of Representatives and leader of the Centrist Reform Coalition, Ichirō Ozawa, visited the city of Kashiwazaki in Niigata Prefecture on the 19th, paying a visit to the tomb of his political mentor, former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka.
Ozawa told reporters: "I have always followed closely in his footsteps. He is a teacher I will never forget for the rest of my life."
Speaking about the future, Ozawa said: "I cannot forget my original intentions; I want to do my best while keeping the teachings of my predecessors in mind."
Ozawa was highly regarded by Tanaka Kakuei, a heavyweight figure within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). At the age of 47, Ozawa was appointed Secretary-General of the LDP.
He explained to journalists that every time he visits Niigata Prefecture, he makes a point of visiting Tanaka Kakuei’s grave.
Recalling moments when they drank together, he said: "It was a time that felt both long and fleeting."
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865613147688971/
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