Shinzō Abe was appointed prime minister on 26 December 2012

This is a list of Prime Ministers of Japan, including those of the Empire of Japan, from when the first Japanese prime minister (in the modern sense), Itō Hirobumi, took office in 1885, until the present day. The office is currently held by Shinzō Abe. Those Prime Ministers under the Meiji Constitution had a mandate from the Emperor. The "electoral mandates" shown are for the lower house of the Imperial Diet that was not constitutionally guaranteed to have any influence on the appointment of the Prime Minister.

Multiple terms in office, consecutive or otherwise, are listed and counted in the first column (administration number) and the second column counts individuals. For example, Hatoyama Yukio, is listed as the 60th individual to hold the office of prime minister, whilst his first cabinet is the 93rd since Itō Hirobumi.

Key[edit]

Military and non-partisan:

• 
    None


• 
    Imperial Rule Assistance Association
  


• 
    Military
  


• 
    The Imperial Family
  

Meiji era liberals, conservative mainstream:

• 
    Kenseitō
  


• 
    Rikken Seiyūkai
  


• 
    Japan Liberal
  


• 
    Democratic Liberal – Liberal
  

Prewar liberals:

• 
    Rikken Dōshikai
  


• 
    Kenseikai
  


• 
    Rikken Minseitō
  


• 
    Democratic – Japan Democratic
  


• 
    Japan Progressive Party
  

Unified conservatives:

• 
    Liberal Democratic
  

Modern era reformist conservatives, liberals, socialists:

• 
    Renewal
  


• 
    Japan New
  


• 
    Democratic
  


• 
    Socialist
  

Prime Ministers of the Empire of Japan (1868–1947)[edit]

Daijō-daijin (Chancellor of the Realm) during the Meiji period[edit]

The office of Daijō-daijin (太政大臣, Chancellor of the Realm of Japan) was the equivalent of what would become the office of Prime Minister. It was an ancient role that had been discontinued in the 18th century and was briefly revived under the Meiji constitution.

• 1871–1885 Sanjo Sanetomi (三条実美) (1837–1891)

The office of Daijō-daijin was abolished in December 1885 with the appointment of Itō Hirobumi in the new position of Prime Minister.

Prime Ministers during the Meiji period (1868–1912)[edit]

Under the Emperor Meiji

№	Prime Minister		Term of office			Political Party	Government	Elected	Ref
	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Took Office	Left Office	Days
1		Itō Hirobumi 伊藤 博文 Itō Hirobumi (1841–1909)	22 December 1885	30 April 1888	860	None	1. Itō I	—	[1]
			The first Prime Minister of the Empire of Japan.
2		Kuroda Kiyotaka 黒田 清隆 Kuroda Kiyotaka (1840–1900)	30 April 1888	25 October 1889	543	None	2. Kuroda	—	[2]
			Oversaw promulgation of the Meiji Constitution. Failed to secure revision of the unequal treaties; resigned.
—		Sanjō Sanetomi 三條 實美 Sanjō Sanetomi (1837–1891)	25 October 1889	24 December 1889	60	None	Sanjō (interim)	—
			Upon the resignation of Kuroda’s government, the Emperor only accepted Kuroda’s resignation and invited Sanjō to head the government for two more months. Today, however, Sanjō’s government is generally regarded as a continuation of Kuroda’s. Held concurrently by the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal. He had previously held the office of Daijō-daijin, or chancellor of the Realm, the predecessor office of the Prime Ministership.
3		Yamagata Aritomo 山縣 有朋 Yamagata Aritomo (1838–1922)	24 December 1889	6 May 1891	498	Military (Army)	3. Yamagata I	1890	[3]
4		Matsukata Masayoshi 松方 正義 Matsukata Masayoshi (1835–1924)	6 May 1891	8 August 1892	460	None	4. Matsukata I	1892	[4]
(1)		Itō Hirobumi 伊藤 博文 Itō Hirobumi (1841–1909)	8 August 1892	31 August 1896	1484	None	5. Itō II	Mar. 1894 Sept. 1894	[1]
			First Sino-Japanese War
During this interval, Privy Council Chairman Kuroda Kiyotaka (黑田 清隆 Kuroda Kiyotaka) was the Acting Prime Minister.
(4)		Matsukata Masayoshi 松方 正義 Matsukata Masayoshi (1835–1924)	18 September 1896	12 January 1898	481	None	6. Matsukata II	—	[4]
(1)		Itō Hirobumi 伊藤 博文 Itō Hirobumi (1841–1909)	12 January 1898	30 June 1898	169	None	7. Itō III	Mar. 1898	[1]
5		Ōkuma Shigenobu 大隈 重信 Ōkuma Shigenobu (1838–1922)	30 June 1898	8 November 1898	131	Kenseitō	8. Ōkuma I	Sept. 1898	[5]
(3)		Yamagata Aritomo 山縣 有朋 Yamagata Aritomo (1838–1922)	8 November 1898	19 October 1900	710	Military (Army)	9. Yamagata II	—	[3]
(1)		Itō Hirobumi 伊藤 博文 Itō Hirobumi (1841–1909)	19 October 1900	10 May 1901	203	Rikken Seiyūkai	10. Itō IV	—	[1]
			Resigned.
During this interval, Privy Council Chairman Saionji Kinmochi (西園寺 公望 Saionji Kinmochi) was the Acting Prime Minister.
6		Katsura Tarō 桂 太郎 Katsura Tarō (1848–1913)	2 June 1901	7 January 1906	1680	Military (Army)	11. Katsura I	1902 1903 1904	[6]
7		Saionji Kinmochi 西園寺 公望 Saionji Kinmochi (1849–1940)	7 January 1906	14 July 1908	919	Rikken Seiyūkai	12. Saionji I	1908	[7]
(6)		Katsura Tarō 桂 太郎 Katsura Tarō (1848–1913)	14 July 1908	30 August 1911	1142	Military (Army)	13. Katsura II	—	[6]
(7)		Saionji Kinmochi 西園寺 公望 Saionji Kinmochi (1849–1940)	30 August 1911	21 December 1912	479	Rikken Seiyūkai	14. Saionji II	1912	[7]

Prime Ministers during the Taishō period (1912–1926)[edit]

Under the Emperor Taishō

№	Prime Minister		Term of office			Political Party	Government	Elected	Ref
	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Took Office	Left Office	Days
(6)		Katsura Tarō 桂 太郎 Katsura Tarō (1848–1913)	21 December 1912	20 February 1913	61	None (Retired General)	15. Katsura III	—	[6]
8		Yamamoto Gonnohyōe 山本 權兵衛 Yamamoto Gonnohyōe (1852–1933)	20 February 1913	16 April 1914	420	Military (Navy)	16. Yamamoto I	—	[8]
(5)		Ōkuma Shigenobu 大隈 重信 Ōkuma Shigenobu (1838–1922)	16 April 1914	9 October 1916	907	Rikken Dōshikai	17. Ōkuma II	1915	[5]
9		Terauchi Masatake 寺内 正毅 Terauchi Masatake (1852–1919)	9 October 1916	29 September 1918	720	Military (Army)	18. Terauchi	1917	[9]
10		Hara Takashi 原 敬 Hara Takashi (1856–1921)	29 September 1918	4 November 1921	1132	Rikken Seiyūkai	19. Hara	1920	[10]
			Assassinated.
During this interval, Foreign Minister Uchida Kosai (内田 康哉 Uchida Kōsai) was the Acting Prime Minister.
11		Takahashi Korekiyo 高橋 是清 Takahashi Korekiyo (1854–1936)	13 November 1921	12 June 1922	220	Rikken Seiyūkai	20. Takahashi	—	[11]
12		Katō Tomosaburō 加藤 友三郎 Katō Tomosaburō (1861–1923)	12 June 1922	24 August 1923	438	Military (Navy)	21. Katō To.	—	[12]
			Died in office of natural causes.
During this interval, Foreign Minister Uchida Kosai (内田 康哉 Uchida Kōsai) was the Acting Prime Minister.
(8)		Yamamoto Gonnohyōe 山本 權兵衛 Yamamoto Gonnohyōe (1852–1933)	2 September 1923	7 January 1924	125	Military (Navy)	22. Yamamoto II	—	[8]
13		Kiyoura Keigo 清浦 奎吾 Kiyoura Keigo (1850–1942)	7 January 1924	11 June 1924	156	None	23. Kiyoura	1924	[13]
14		Katō Takaaki 加藤 高明 Katō Takaaki (1860–1926)	11 June 1924	2 August 1925	596	Kenseikai	24. Katō Ta.	—	[14]
			2 August 1925	28 January 1926
			Resigned after the "Grand Coalition of the Three Pro-Constitution Parties" collapsed. Katō was then reinvited by the Prince Regent to form a new government with his own party, Kenseitō. Today, however, his second term is generally regarded as continuation of his first. Died in office of natural causes.
During this interval, Interior Minister Wakatsuki Reijirō (若槻 禮次郎 Wakatsuki Reijirō) was the Acting Prime Minister.
15		Wakatsuki Reijirō 若槻 禮次郎 Wakatsuki Reijirō (1866–1949)	30 January 1926	20 April 1927	445	Kenseikai	25. Wakatsuki I	—	[15]

Prime Ministers during the Shōwa period (1926–1947)[edit]

Under the Emperor Shōwa

№	Prime Minister		Term of office			Political Party	Government	Elected	Ref
	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Took Office	Left Office	Days
16		Tanaka Giichi 田中 義一 Tanaka Giichi (1864–1929)	20 April 1927	2 July 1929	804	Rikken Seiyūkai	26. Tanaka G.	1928	[16]
17		Osachi Hamaguchi 濱口 雄幸 Hamaguchi Osachi (1870–1931)	2 July 1929	14 April 1931	651	Rikken Minseitō	27. Hamaguchi	1930	[17]
			Incapacitated due to serious wound from assassination plot on 14 November 1930. Foreign Minister Kijūrō Shidehara served as Deputy Prime Minister until Hamaguchi’s return to the office on 10 March 1931.
(15)		Wakatsuki Reijirō 若槻 禮次郞 Wakatsuki Reijirō (1866–1949)	14 April 1931	13 December 1931	243	Rikken Minseitō	28. Wakatsuki II	—	[15]
			Invasion of Manchuria, official start of World War II in Asia.
18		Inukai Tsuyoshi 犬養 毅 Inukai Tsuyoshi (1855–1932)	13 December 1931	15 May 1932	154	Rikken Seiyūkai	29. Inukai	1932	[18]
			Assassinated.
During this interval, Finance Minister Takahashi Korekiyo (高橋 是淸 Takahashi Korekiyo) was the Acting Prime Minister.
19		Saitō Makoto 齋藤 實 Saitō Makoto (1858–1936)	26 May 1932	8 July 1934	773	Military (Navy)	30. Saitō	—	[19]
20		Keisuke Okada 岡田 啓介 Okada Keisuke (1868–1952)	8 July 1934	9 March 1936	610	Military (Navy)	31. Okada	1936	[20]
			Thought to be killed by renegade soldiers during the February 26 Incident. Interior Minister Gotō Fumio served as Deputy Prime Minister until Okada was found alive on 28 February 1936.
21		Kōki Hirota 廣田 弘毅 Hirota Kōki (1878–1948)	9 March 1936	2 February 1937	330	None	32. Hirota	—	[21]
			War Criminal; executed in 1948.
22		Senjūrō Hayashi 林 銑十郞 Hayashi Senjūrō (1876–1943)	2 February 1937	4 June 1937	122	Military (Army)	33. Hayashi	1937	[22]
23		Fumimaro Konoe 近衞 文麿 Konoe Fumimaro (1891–1945)	4 June 1937	5 January 1939	580	None	34. Konoe I	—	[23]
			War Criminal: committed suicide rather than face arrest
24		Hiranuma Kiichirō 平沼 騏一郞 Hiranuma Kiichirō (1867–1952)	5 January 1939	30 August 1939	237	None	35. Hiranuma	—	[24]
			War Criminal; died in prison.
25		Nobuyuki Abe 阿部 信行 Abe Nobuyuki (1875–1953)	30 August 1939	16 January 1940	139	Military (Army)	36. Abe N.	—	[25]
26		Mitsumasa Yonai 米内 光政 Yonai Mitsumasa (1880–1948)	16 January 1940	22 July 1940	188	Military (Navy)	37. Yonai	—	[26]
		Fumimaro Konoe 近衞 文麿 Konoe Fumimaro (1891–1945)	22 July 1940	12 October 1940	453	None	38. Konoe II	—	[23]
(23)			12 October 1940	18 July 1941		IRAA Taisei Yokusankai
			18 July 1941	18 October 1941			39. Konoe III	—
			War Criminal: Committed suicide in 1945 rather than face arrest.
27		Hideki Tōjō 東條英機 Tōjō Hideki (1884–1948)	18 October 1941	22 July 1944	1008	IRAA Taisei Yokusankai	40. Tōjō	1942	[27]
			War Criminal: Bombed Pearl Harbor; executed in 1948
28		Kuniaki Koiso 小磯國昭 Koiso Kuniaki (1880–1950)	22 July 1944	7 April 1945	259	IRAA Taisei Yokusankai	41. Koiso	—	[28]
			War Criminal: Died in Prison.
29		Kantarō Suzuki 鈴木貫太郞 Suzuki Kantarō (1868–1948)	7 April 1945	13 June 1945	132	IRAA Taisei Yokusankai	42. Suzuki K.	—	[29]
			13 June 1945	17 August 1945		None
30		Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni 東久邇宮稔彦王 Higashikuni no miya Naruhiko ō (1887–1990)	17 August 1945	9 October 1945	53	Imperial Family	43. Higashikuni no miya	—	[30]
			The only member of the Imperial Family to serve as Prime Minister.
31		Kijūrō Shidehara 幣原喜重郞 Shidehara Kijūrō (1872–1951)	9 October 1945	22 May 1946	225	JPP Nihon Shimpotō	44. Shidehara	1946	[31]
32		Shigeru Yoshida 吉田 茂 Yoshida Shigeru (1878–1967)	22 May 1946	24 May 1947	367	Liberal Jiyūtō	45. Yoshida I	—	[32]

Prime Ministers of the State of Japan (from 1947)[edit]

Prime Ministers during the Shōwa period (1947–1989)[edit]

Under the Emperor Shōwa

№	Prime Minister		Term of office			Political Party	Government	Elected		Ref
	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Took Office	Left Office	Days			Gen.	Coun.
33		Tetsu Katayama 片山 哲 Katayama Tetsu (1887–1978) Rep for Kanagawa 3rd	24 May 1947	10 March 1948	291	JSP Nihon Shakaitō	46. Katayama JSP–DP–PCP	1947	1947	[33]
			Under Allied Occupation. The first Prime Minister and the first socialist to serve as Prime Minister of Japan. Member of Diet from 1930 to 1963. Formed a coalition government with the Democratic Party and the National Cooperative Party.
34		Hitoshi Ashida 芦田 均 Ashida Hitoshi (1887–1959) Rep for Kyōto 2nd	10 March 1948	15 October 1948	219	DP Minshutō	47. Ashida DP–JSP–PCP	—	—	[34]
			Under Allied Occupation. Ashida's cabinet resigned after seven months in office, due to alleged ministerial corruption in the Showa Electric scandal.
(32)		Shigeru Yoshida 吉田 茂 Yoshida Shigeru (1878–1967) Rep for Kōchi At-large	15 October 1948	16 February 1949	2247	DLP Minshu Jiyūtō (until 1950); Liberal Jiyūtō	48. Yoshida II DLP	—	—	[32]
			16 February 1949	30 October 1952			49. Yoshida III (Reshuffle 1 · 2 · 3) DLP/Liberal–DP	1949	1950
			30 October 1952	21 May 1953			50. Yoshida IV Liberal	1952	—
			21 May 1953	10 December 1954			51. Yoshida V Liberal	1953	1953
			Under Allied Occupation until the Treaty of San Francisco came into force on 28 April 1952. Developed the Yoshida Doctrine, prioritising economic development and reliance on United States military protection.
35		Ichirō Hatoyama 鳩山 一郎 Hatoyama Ichirō (1883–1959) Rep for Tokyo 1st	10 December 1954	19 March 1955	744	JDP Nihon Minshutō	52. Hatoyama I. I JDP	—	—	[35]
			19 March 1955	22 November 1955			53. Hatoyama I. II JDP	1955	—
			22 November 1955	23 December 1956		LDP Jimintō	54. Hatoyama I. III LDP	—	—
			Rebuilt diplomatic ties with the Soviet Union. Favored parole for some of the Class A war criminals who had been sentenced to life imprisonment at the Tokyo Trial.
36		Tanzan Ishibashi 石橋 湛山 Ishibashi Tanzan (1884–1973) Rep for Shizuoka 2nd	23 December 1956	25 February 1957	64	LDP Jimintō	55. Ishibashi LDP	—	1956	[36]
			Incapacitated due to minor stroke on 31 January 1957. Foreign Minister Kishi Nobusuke served as Deputy Prime Minister until 25 February 1957.
37		Nobusuke Kishi 岸 信介 Kishi Nobusuke (1896–1987) Rep for Yamaguchi 1st	25 February 1957	12 June 1958	1240	LDP Jimintō	56. Kishi I (Reshuffle) LDP	—	—	[37]
			12 June 1958	19 July 1960			57. Kishi II (Reshuffle) LDP	1958	1959
38		Hayato Ikeda 池田 勇人 Ikeda Hayato (1899–1965) Rep for Hiroshima 2nd	19 July 1960	8 December 1960	1574	LDP Jimintō	58. Ikeda I LDP	—	—	[38]
			8 December 1960	9 December 1963			59. Ikeda II (Reshuffle 1 · 2 · 3) LDP	1960	1962
			9 December 1963	9 November 1964			60. Ikeda III (Reshuffle) LDP	1963	—
39		Eisaku Satō 佐藤 榮作 Satō Eisaku (1901–1975) Rep for Yamaguchi 2nd	9 November 1964	17 February 1967	2797	LDP Jimintō	61. Satō I (Reshuffle 1 · 2 · 3) LDP	—	1965	[39]
			17 February 1967	14 January 1970			62. Satō II (Reshuffle 1 · 2) LDP	1967	1968
			14 January 1970	7 July 1972			63. Satō III (Reshuffle)	1969	1971
40		Kakuei Tanaka 田中 角榮 Tanaka Kakuei (1918–1993) Rep for Niigata 3rd	7 July 1972	22 December 1972	885	LDP Jimintō	64. Tanaka K. I LDP	—	—	[40]
			22 December 1972	9 December 1974			65. Tanaka K. II (Reshuffle 1 · 2) LDP	1972	—
			resigned in the midst of scandal. Later, "shadow shogun".
41		Takeo Miki 三木 武夫 Miki Takeo (1907–1988) Rep for Tokushima At-large	9 December 1974	24 December 1976	746	LDP Jimintō	66. Miki (Reshuffle) LDP	—	1974	[41]
42		Takeo Fukuda 福田 赳夫 Fukuda Takeo (1905–1995) Rep for Gunma 3rd	24 December 1976	7 December 1978	713	LDP Jimintō	67. Fukuda T. (Reshuffle) LDP	1976	1977	[42]
43		Masayoshi Ōhira 大平 正芳 Ōhira Masayoshi (1910–1980) Rep for Kagawa 2nd	7 December 1978	9 November 1979	553	LDP Jimintō	68. Ōhira I LDP	—	—	[43]
			9 November 1979	12 June 1980			69. Ōhira II LDP	1979	—
			Died in office of natural causes.
During this interval, Chief Cabinet Secretary Masayoshi Ito (伊東 正義 Itō Masayoshi) was the Acting Prime Minister.
44		Zenkō Suzuki 鈴木 善幸 Suzuki Zenkō (1911–2004) Rep for Iwate 1st	17 July 1980	27 November 1982	863	LDP Jimintō	70. Suzuki Z. (Reshuffle) LDP	1980	1980	[44]
45		Yasuhiro Nakasone 中曽根　康弘 Nakasone Yasuhiro (1918–) Rep for Gunma 3rd	27 November 1982	27 December 1983	1805	LDP Jimintō	71. Nakasone I LDP	—	—	[45]
			27 December 1983	22 July 1986			72. Nakasone II (Reshuffle 1 · 2) LDP–NLC	1983	1983
			22 July 1986	6 November 1987			73. Nakasone III LDP	1986	1986
46		Noboru Takeshita 竹下 登 Takeshita Noboru (1924–2000) Rep for Shimane At-large	6 November 1987	3 June 1989	575	LDP Jimintō	74. Takeshita (Reshuffle) LDP	—	—	[46]
			The Recruit scandal forced his resignation in 1989. Later "Shadow Shogun."

Prime Ministers during the Heisei period (from 1989)[edit]

Under the Emperor Akihito

№	Prime Minister		Term of office			Political Party	Government	Elected		Ref
	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Took Office	Left Office	Days			Gen.	Coun.
47		Sōsuke Uno 宇野 宗佑 Uno Sōsuke (1922–1998) Rep for Shiga At-large	3 June 1989	10 August 1989	68	LDP Jimintō	75. Uno LDP	—	1989	[47]
			Soon after he was elected Prime Minister, allegations arose that he had an extramarital relationship with a geisha, which damaged his reputation and his party's bad performance in the 1989 House of Councillors election, for which he resigned. Served as Minister of Defense (1974), Chief of the Science and Technology Agency (1976–1977), Chief of the Civil Administration Agency (1979–1980), Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (1983), and Minister for Foreign Affairs (1987–1989). Member of the Diet from 1960 to 1996.
48		Toshiki Kaifu 海部 俊樹 Kaifu Toshiki (1931–) Rep for Aichi 3rd	10 August 1989	28 February 1990	817	LDP Jimintō	76. Kaifu I LDP	—	—	[48]
			28 February 1990	5 November 1991			77. Kaifu II (Reshuffle) LDP	1990	—
			Defeated in 2009, he was the longest-serving member of the lower house of the Diet, and he was also the first former prime minister to be defeated at a re-election since 1963. Served as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (1974–1976), Minister of Education (1976–1977, 1985–1986). Member of the Diet from 1960 to 2009.
49		Kiichi Miyazawa 宮澤 喜一 Miyazawa Kiichi (1919–2007) Rep for Hiroshima 3rd	5 November 1991	9 August 1993	643	LDP Jimintō	78. Miyazawa (Reshuffle) LDP	—	1992	[49]
			Originally a bureaucrat in the Treasury Ministry, he accompanied Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida at the Treaty of San Francisco. A firm critic of the revision of the constitution, he advocated peace throughout his political career. After his party's stunning defeat in the 1993 general election, he was forced to resign the Prime Ministership, but became Minister of Finance in the cabinet of Keizo Obuchi and Yoshiro Mori from 1998 to 2001. He died in 2007. Served as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (1962–1964, 1966–1968, 1970–1971, 1977–1978), Chief Cabinet Secretary (1980–1982), Minister of Finance (1986–1988), Minister of Posts and Telecommunications (1993) and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (1993). Member of the House of Councillors (1952–1965). Member of the House of Representatives (1967–2003).
50		Morihiro Hosokawa 細川 護熙 Hosokawa Morihiro (1938–) Rep for Kumamoto 1st	9 August 1993	28 April 1994	262	JNP Nihon Shintō	79. Hosokawa JNP–JSP–JRP–Komeitō–NPS–DSP–SDF	1993	—	[50]
			He is a member of a noble family that ruled Kumamoto since Medieval times, and during Imperial Japan, his family was part of the aristocracy, his grandfather Konoe Fumimaro having served as Prime Minister (1937–1939, 1940–1941). Originally member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he left the party in 1992 to form the Japan New Party, which garnered 35 members in the 1993 general election. He served as Prime Minister in 8-party coalition government and spearheaded a reform to change the electoral system. He resigned after allegations arose that he had misused personal funds in the 1980s. Served as Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture (1983–1991). Member of the House of Councilors from 1971 to 1983 and 1992 to 1993. Member of the House of Representatives from 1993 to 1998.
51		Tsutomu Hata 羽田 孜 Hata Tsutomu (1935–2017) Rep for Nagano 2nd	28 April 1994	30 June 1994	63	JRP Shinseitō	80. Hata JRP–JNP–JSP–SDP–SDF–Komeitō–NPS	—	—	[51]
			Originally member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he left the party in 1993 with Ichirō Ozawa to establish the Japan Renewal Party, which garnered 44 seats in the 1993 general election. He served as Minister for Foreign Affairs in the cabinet of Morihiro Hosokawa, until the latter resigned after his implication in a banking scandal. Hata then assumed the Prime Ministership, but since the Socialist Party had left the coalition, his minority government was forced to resign in two months as a non-confidence motion against his cabinet was submitted to the House of Representatives. Currently a member of the Democratic Party of Japan, he is now one of the elder politicians of the party. Served as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (1985–1986, 1988–1989), Minister of Finance (1991–1992), and Minister for Foreign Affairs. Member of the Diet from 1969 to 2012.
52		Tomiichi Murayama 村山 富市 Murayama Tomiichi (1924–) Rep for Ōita 1st	30 June 1994	11 January 1996	560	JSP Nihon Shakaitō	81. Murayama (Reshuffle) JSP–LDP–NPS	—	1995	[52]
			Presided over a coalition that consisted of the Liberal Democratic Party, the Socialist Party, and the New Party Sakigake. During his tenure, the Great Hanshin earthquake erupted and a Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway occurred that left 13 dead. He resigned after his party suffered defeat in the 1996 general election. Served as General Secretary of the Socialist Party. Member of the Diet from 1972 to 2000.
53		Ryūtarō Hashimoto 橋本 龍太郎 Hashimoto Ryūtarō (1937–2006) Rep for Okayama 4th	11 January 1996	7 November 1996	931	LDP Jimintō	82. Hashimoto I LDP–JSP–NPS	—	—	[53]
			7 November 1996	30 July 1998			83. Hashimoto II (Reshuffle) LDP–NPS	1996	1998
			He spearheaded widespread reforms during his tenure, including reforms to restructure the health, finance, and the bureaucratic system. He resigned after his party suffered massive defeat in the 1998 House of Councilors Election. He died in 2006. Served as Minister of Health (1978–1979), Minister of Transportation (1986–1987), Minister of Finance (1989–1991), Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (1994–1996). Member of the Diet from 1963 to 2005.
54		Keizō Obuchi 小渕 恵三 Obuchi Keizō (1937–2000) Rep for Gunma 5th	30 July 1998	5 April 2000	615	LDP Jimintō	84. Obuchi (Reshuffle 1 · 2) LDP–(Lib.–Komeitō)	—	—	[54]
			His government was credited with stimulating the economy after a depression caused by the bubble crash. After suffering from a stroke, he fell into a coma on 3 April, and died on 14 May 2000. Chief Cabinet Secretary Aoki Mikio served as Deputy Prime Minister until 5 April. Served as Chief of the Okinawa Development Agency (1979–1980), Minister of the Prime Minister's Office (1979–1980), Chief Cabinet Secretary (1987–1989), and Minister for Foreign Affairs (1997–1998). Member of the Diet from 1963 to 2000.
55		Yoshirō Mori 森 喜朗 Mori Yoshirō (1937–) Rep for Ishikawa 2nd	5 April 2000	4 July 2000	386	LDP Jimintō	85. Mori I LDP–Komeitō–NCP	—	—	[55]
			4 July 2000	26 April 2001			86. Mori II (Reshuffle 1 · 2) LDP–Komeitō–NCP	2000	—
			His appointment was decided after a secret meeting by major power brokers within the Liberal Democratic Party after the unexpected death of Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi. His gaffes and his government's low legitimacy was detrimental to his government's approval ratings, for which he resigned in 2001. Served as Minister of Education (1983–1984), Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (1992–1993), Minister of Construction (1995–1996). Member of the Diet from 1969 to 2012.
56		Junichirō Koizumi 小泉 純一郎 Koizumi Jun'ichirō (1942–) Rep for Kanagawa 11th	26 April 2001	19 November 2003	1979	LDP Jimintō	87. Koizumi I (Reshuffle 1 · 2) LDP–Komeitō–NCP	—	2001	[56]
			19 November 2003	21 September 2005			88. Koizumi II (Reshuffle) LDP–Komeitō	2003	2004
			21 September 2005	26 September 2006			89. Koizumi III (Reshuffle) LDP–Komeitō	2005	—
			Resigned due to term limits of the Presidency of the Liberal Democratic Party. Served as Vice Minister of Finance (1979), Minister of Health and Welfare (1988–1989), Minister of Posts and Telecommunications (1992), Minister of Health and Welfare (1996–1998), and Minister of Foreign Affairs (2002). Member of Diet from 1972 to 2009.
57		Shinzō Abe 安倍 晋三 Abe Shinzō (1954–) Rep for Yamaguchi 4th	26 September 2006	26 September 2007	365	LDP Jimintō	90. Abe S. I (Reshuffle) LDP–Komeitō	—	2007	[57]
			Resigned after suffering from low approval ratings and poor health. Served as Chief Cabinet Secretary (2005–2006). Member of Diet since 1993.
58		Yasuo Fukuda 福田 康夫 Fukuda Yasuo (1936–) Rep for Gunma 4th	26 September 2007	24 September 2008	364	LDP Jimintō	91. Fukuda Y. (Reshuffle) LDP–Komeitō	—	—	[58]
			Resigned after asserting the need to improve the flow of the political process. Served as Minister for Okinawa Development (2000), Chief Cabinet Secretary (2000–2004), and Minister of State for Gender Equality and Social Affairs (2001–2004). Member of Diet from 1990 to 2012.
59		Tarō Asō 麻生 太郎 Asō Tarō (1940–) Rep for Fukuoka 8th	24 September 2008	16 September 2009	357	LDP Jimintō	92. Asō LDP–Komeitō	—	—	[59]
			Resigned after the 2009 general election to accept the responsibility for the worst defeat of the history of the Liberal Democratic Party. Served as Director of Economic Planning Agency (1996–1997), Minister in charge of Economic and Financial Policies (2001), Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications (2003–2005), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2005–2007), and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance (since 2012). Member of Diet since 1979.
60		Yukio Hatoyama 鳩山 由紀夫 Hatoyama Yukio (1947–) Rep for Hokkaido 9th	16 September 2009	8 June 2010	265	DPJ Minshutō	93. Hatoyama Y. DPJ–SDP–PNP	2009	—	[60]
			Won a majority in the 2009 general election defeating Tarō Asō (LDP). Resigned after breaking a campaign promise to close Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa Prefecture. Member of Diet from 1986 to 2012.
61		Naoto Kan 菅 直人 Kan Naoto (1946–) Rep for Tokyo 18th	8 June 2010	2 September 2011	451	DPJ Minshutō	94. Kan (Reshuffle 1 · 2) DPJ–PNP	—	2010	[61]
			Resigned due to poor approval ratings after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Served as Minister of Health and Welfare (1996), Deputy Prime Minister of Japan (2009–2010), Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy (2009–2010), Minister of State in charge of National Strategy (2009–2010), Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy (2009–2010), and Minister of Finance (2010). Member of Diet since 1980.
62		Yoshihiko Noda 野田 佳彦 Noda Yoshihiko (1957–) Rep for Chiba 4th	2 September 2011	26 December 2012	481	DPJ Minshutō	95. Noda (Reshuffle 1 · 2 · 3) DPJ–PNP	—	—	[62]
			Resigned after the 2012 general election to accept the responsibility for the defeat of the Democratic Party. Served as Senior Vice Minister of Finance (2009–2010) and Minister of Finance (2010–2011). Member of Diet since 1993.
(57)		Shinzō Abe 安倍 晋三 Abe Shinzō (1954–) Rep for Yamaguchi 4th	26 December 2012	24 December 2014	2200	LDP Jimintō	96. Abe S. II (Reshuffle) LDP–Komeitō	2012	2013	[57]
			24 December 2014	1 November 2017			97. Abe S. III (Reshuffle 1 · 2 · 3) LDP–Komeitō	2014	2016
			1 November 2017	Incumbent			98. Abe S. IV (Reshuffle 1) LDP–Komeitō	2017	—
			Current Prime Minister of Japan, and first to serve non-consecutive terms since the end of the US occupation. Won a majority in the 2012 general election defeating Yoshihiko Noda (DPJ). Won the 2014 and 2017 general elections retaining a majority in the House of Representatives. Served as the 90th term Prime Minister (2006–2007), Chief Cabinet Secretary (2005–2006). Member of Diet since 1993.

Timeline[edit]

Rank by length of consecutive tenures[edit]

(*) The table only includes PMs who have cumulatively served 2 years (730 days) or more. A fully detailed list is available at List of Japanese prime ministers by longevity.

1. Served under the Allied Occupation of Japan until 28 April 1952


2. Resigned due to the term-limit of the LDP presidency


3. Assassinated in office (the only other PM killed in office was Inukai Tsuyoshi)

Living former Prime Ministers[edit]

As of January 2019, eleven former Prime Ministers of Japan are alive. The most recent death of a former Prime Minister of Japan is that of Tsutomu Hata (1994) on August 28, 2017. Shinzō Abe, who served as Prime Minister from 2006 to 2007, is currently serving (since 2012) and thus is not included on this list.

Relations between Japanese prime ministers[edit]

1. Nobusuke Kishi and Eisaku Satō: brothers


2. Nobusuke Kishi and Shinzō Abe: grandfather and grandson


3. Takeo Fukuda and Yasuo Fukuda: father and son


4. Ichirō Hatoyama and Yukio Hatoyama: grandfather and grandson


5. Prince Fumimaro Konoe and Morihiro Hosokawa: grandfather and grandson


6. Shigeru Yoshida and Tarō Asō: grandfather and grandson


7. Zenkō Suzuki and Tarō Asō: father-in-law and son-in-law

See also[edit]

• List of Deputy Prime Ministers of Japan

Notes and references[edit]

External links[edit]

• Official Website of the Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinets