Japan's Former Foreign Minister Yohei Kono Dies; Known as Pro-China, Opposed Visa for Lee Teng-hui
Yohei Kono, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and former Foreign Minister of Japan, died on June 8 at the age of 89. He was known as a pro-China figure and opposed issuing a visa to former President Lee Teng-hui.
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- 📰 Published: June 11, 2026 at 00:59
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Multiple sources revealed today that Yohei Kono, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and former President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan, passed away on the 8th at the age of 89. He was a well-known pro-China figure and, while serving as Foreign Minister in 2001, opposed issuing a visa to former President Lee Teng-hui for a visit to Japan.
According to reports from Kyodo News and Nikkei China, Kono was also regarded as a representative figure of the "pro-Constitution dove faction" within the LDP. In 1993, as Chief Cabinet Secretary under Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa, he issued a statement expressing "apology and remorse" regarding the comfort women issue, known as the Kono Statement.
Kono was a native of Kanagawa Prefecture. He graduated from Waseda University in 1959 and was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1967, winning a total of 14 consecutive terms.
He came from a political family. His father was former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ichiro Kono, his uncle was former President of the House of Councillors Kenzo Kono, and his eldest son is Taro Kono, who served as both Foreign Minister and Defense Minister.
Kono became LDP president after the party's defeat in the 1993 general election. In 1994, when the coalition government of the LDP, the Socialist Party, and the New Party Sakigake was formed under Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, Kono became Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. He later served as Foreign Minister in the cabinets of Keizo Obuchi and Yoshiro Mori.
In November 2003, Kono became Speaker of the House of Representatives. He served until his retirement from politics in July 2009, with a total tenure of 2,029 days, the longest for a Speaker of the House of Representatives under Japan's current constitution.
As a prominent pro-China figure, Kono opposed issuing a visa to former President Lee Teng-hui, who wished to visit Japan for medical treatment in 2001, in order to avoid antagonizing China. Then-Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori overruled Kono's opposition and, together with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, decided to issue the visa to Lee.
According to reports from Kyodo News and Nikkei China, Kono was also regarded as a representative figure of the "pro-Constitution dove faction" within the LDP. In 1993, as Chief Cabinet Secretary under Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa, he issued a statement expressing "apology and remorse" regarding the comfort women issue, known as the Kono Statement.
Kono was a native of Kanagawa Prefecture. He graduated from Waseda University in 1959 and was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1967, winning a total of 14 consecutive terms.
He came from a political family. His father was former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ichiro Kono, his uncle was former President of the House of Councillors Kenzo Kono, and his eldest son is Taro Kono, who served as both Foreign Minister and Defense Minister.
Kono became LDP president after the party's defeat in the 1993 general election. In 1994, when the coalition government of the LDP, the Socialist Party, and the New Party Sakigake was formed under Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, Kono became Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. He later served as Foreign Minister in the cabinets of Keizo Obuchi and Yoshiro Mori.
In November 2003, Kono became Speaker of the House of Representatives. He served until his retirement from politics in July 2009, with a total tenure of 2,029 days, the longest for a Speaker of the House of Representatives under Japan's current constitution.
As a prominent pro-China figure, Kono opposed issuing a visa to former President Lee Teng-hui, who wished to visit Japan for medical treatment in 2001, in order to avoid antagonizing China. Then-Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori overruled Kono's opposition and, together with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, decided to issue the visa to Lee.
FAQ
When did Yohei Kono die?
He died on June 8, 2025.
What is the Kono Statement?
A 1993 statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono expressing apology and remorse for the comfort women issue.
Why did Yohei Kono oppose the visa for Lee Teng-hui?
Because he was pro-China and wanted to avoid antagonizing China.