October 10
1916 In Japan, the Kenseikai (Constitutional Government Party) was established, was the majority party, but in opposition until 1924.
1924 James Clavell was born. Clavell, a POW during much of World War II, he came to the United States in the 1950s and worked as a screenwriter and director, before becoming the best-selling author of many works of Asia-centered historical fiction (e.g. Shogun, Noble House, and Taipan). Clavell and other writers of historical fiction are included in a regional/chronological list prepared by Larry Besaw at the University of Texas. An alphabetical list of authors of historical fiction is also available.
1964 The Summer Olympics opened in Tokyo (lasting until October 24). Aside from the Olympic Stadium, other Olympics-related projects included hotels and high-speed trains. A Japanese train ticket from 1964 featured the Olympics.
1974 Corruption on the part of Japanese Prime Minister Tanaka Kakuei was exposed in the magazine Bungei Shunju. Among other things, Tanaka accepted bribes from America's Lockheed Corporation. Tanaka was prime minister from July 1972 to December 1974. He remained influential after leaving the prime ministership and in the 1980s his faction of Liberal Democratic Party held one-fifth of the seats in the Diet. Tanaka was arrested in 1976, but was not convicted until 1995, two years after his death. Kanemaru Shin was a former member of Tanaka's faction and later became a rival. He was convicted in 1992 of accepting bribes.
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© 2001 UCLA Center for East Asian Studies