Ex-Japan PM Hashimoto dies
Reuters, Tokyo
Former Japanese prime minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, an outspoken politician who jousted with US officials over the auto trade and brought "Big Bang" financial reforms to Tokyo, died on Saturday at the age of 68. Hashimoto, who retired from politics last September citing poor health, had undergone surgery to remove a large part of his intestine after being rushed to hospital on June 4, media said. Hailed as a forceful leader who would tackle reform when he took over as premier in 1996, he ultimately faltered in the face of financial crisis, political scandal and economic stagnation. By the time Hashimoto made a second run for the premiership in April 2001, losing out to reformist Junichiro Koizumi, he had become an emblem of the ruling party's resistance to change.
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