About Author
Yoshihiko Noda (野田 佳彦, Noda Yoshihiko, born 20 May 1957) is a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan and Leader of the Democratic Party of Japan from 2011 to 2012. He is a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, and a member of the House of Representatives (lower house) in the Diet (national legislature). He was named to succeed Naoto Kan as a result of a runoff vote against Banri Kaieda in his party, and was formally appointed by the Emperor Akihito on 2 September 2011.
Following a severe loss for the DPJ in the December 2012 general election, Noda conceded defeat and announced his resignation as party leader, triggering a leadership election that was won by Kaieda. Noda was succeeded by Shinzo Abe, President of the Liberal Democratic Party as Prime Minister on 26 December 2012.
