Departures of note

Yōhei Kōno was a prominent Japanese politician born on January 15, 1937, in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa. He entered politics in 1967 following the death of his father, Ichirō Kōno, and went on to have a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades in the National Diet.

Kōno held several high-ranking positions including President of the Liberal Democratic Party from 1993 to 1995, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister, and Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2009, serving the longest term as Speaker since the position was established in 1890. He was best known internationally for the 1993 Kono Statement, issued while serving as Chief Cabinet Secretary, which acknowledged the Japanese Imperial Army's involvement in the comfort women system during World War II.

In his later years, Kōno served as chairman of the Japan International Trade Promotion Association from 2006, making annual visits to China to foster business relations despite political tensions. He was known for his pro-China stance within the LDP and his willingness to endure domestic criticism for his diplomatic positions. Kōno died on June 8, 2026, at age 89 from pancreatic cancer.