TOKYO (AP) — Tsuneo Watanabe, the powerful head of Japan's largest newspaper who had close ties with the country's powerful conservative leaders, has died, his company said Thursday. He was 98.
Watanabe, the editor-in-chief of the Yomiuri Shimbun for over 30 years, died of pneumonia at a Tokyo hospital on Thursday, the Yomiuri said.
Watanabe joined the newspaper in 1950 and covered politics throughout his career, attending editorial meetings until last month. He was still checking copy in his hospital room days before his death, the newspaper said.
Watanabe cultivated close ties with conservative leaders who governed the country across decades, like Yasuhiro Nakasone and Shinzo Abe, and to helped form Japan's conservative public opinion. Abe was also known as a loyal reader and once told reporters all his opinions could be found in the Yomiuri when he was asked a question about a proposed constitutional revision.
Watanabe stirred controversy in 1994 when the Yomiuri published a draft revision to the pacifist constitution calling for a clear reference to the Self Defense Force, Japan's de facto military, and other changes at a time when such ideas were taboo.
Born in Tokyo in May, 1926, Watanabe studied philosophy at the University of Tokyo, which was interrupted during the World War II when he was drafted into the Imperial Army, before joining the Yomiuri in 1950.
Watanabe, in a number of media interviews, criticized the wartime military for its abusive treatment of soldiers and wasteful deaths. He was also known for his opposition to the inclusion of war criminals among those worshipped at Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni shrine, and criticizing conservative lawmakers who visited the shrine.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he has met Watanabe a number of times and “learned a lot from him about the war and perspectives on Japanese wartime history." He said he also recently reread one of Watanabe's books on the governing Liberal Democratic Party and was impressed by his insights.
Ishiba, embattled and heading a minority government after his party's election loss in October, said “Under the current political situation, I wish we could seek his advice about our party, the democracy and the future of Japan as a peace-loving nation.”
Watanabe served as Washington bureau chief and head of the political news section for the paper before becoming president and editor-in-chief of the Yomiuri Shimbun in 1991. He became chairman of the company in 2004.
Despite his brief affiliation with the communist party as a student, Watanabe converted to staunch anti-communism.
Watanabe also owned the Yomiuri Giants, Japan’s most popular baseball team, and served on an advisory panel for sumo wrestling.
FILE - Japanese media mogul Tsuneo Watanabe, chairman of the Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings, speaks to reporters in Tokyo, on Jan. 17, 2014. (Kyodo News via AP, File)
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Troy Terry scored with 24 seconds left and the Anaheim Ducks rallied late for a 3-2 victory over the NHL-leading Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night.
Frank Vatrano scored his second goal with 4:46 left for the Ducks, who have won back-to-back games for the first time since Nov. 19. Anaheim won in regulation for the first time in three weeks.
Lukas Dostal stopped 21 shots for the Ducks.
Gabriel Vilardi and Mark Scheifele scored for the Jets, who had won five of seven. Eric Comrie made 28 saves, but the seldom-used backup goalie remained winless in six starts since Nov. 1.
Vatrano tied it when his long shot banked off the skate of Vladislav Namestnikov and beat Comrie.
Defenseman Jacob Trouba made his home debut for the Ducks, who acquired the former Rangers captain 12 days ago. The game also was Anaheim's first at home since trading 15-year veteran defenseman Cam Fowler to St. Louis.
Jets: The NHL's best team again had plenty of time to recover from another sluggish start in California, but it followed up Tuesday's comeback in San Jose by blowing a late lead.
Ducks: They did little with a major shot advantage in the first two periods, but the team ranked 31st in the NHL in goals per game delighted its fans with that late offensive burst.
Vatrano got an assist on the winning goal when he broke up a pass between Jets defensemen Haydn Fleury and Neil Pionk deep in Winnipeg’s end. Terry pounced on the puck and scored his ninth goal in front.
Winnipeg didn’t record a shot on goal until nearly 11 1/2 minutes into the first period, and it didn’t manage its first shot in the second period until nearly 10 minutes had elapsed.
Winnipeg hosts Minnesota on Saturday night, and Anaheim hosts Colorado on Friday night.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL
Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish (23) shoots past Winnipeg Jets center Mason Appleton (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier (61) controls he puck over Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor (81) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba (65) shoots past Winnipeg Jets left wing Alex Iafallo (9) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (7) checks Winnipeg Jets center Morgan Barron (36) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Anaheim Ducks right wing Frank Vatrano (77) celebrates his goal with the bench during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Anaheim Ducks right wing Troy Terry (19) controls the puck in front of Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie (1) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
