Hugo Dobson is Professor of Japan’s International Relations at the School of Languages, Arts and Societies, University of Sheffield. Karin Narita is Research Associate in Japanese Politics and International Relations at the School of Languages, Arts and Societies, University of Sheffield. Caroline Rose is Emeritus Professor of Sino-Japanese Relations at the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, University of Leeds.

‘A fascinating analysis of an overlooked topic that provides rich context on Japanese politics and the lives of former leaders.’ Jeff Kingston, Temple University Japan

• 1. Introduction2. Former Leaders, Informal Politics and the Japanese Prime Minister3. Former Japanese Prime Ministers, the Meiji Period to World War Two4. Former Japanese Prime Ministers, 1945 to 19895. Former Japanese Prime Ministers, 1989 to 20246. Analysis and Conclusions

Hugo Dobson is Professor of Japan’s International Relations at the School of Languages, Arts and Societies, University of Sheffield. Karin Narita is Research Associate in Japanese Politics and International Relations at the School of Languages, Arts and Societies, University of Sheffield. Caroline Rose is Emeritus Professor of Sino-Japanese Relations at the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, University of Leeds.

‘A fascinating analysis of an overlooked topic that provides rich context on Japanese politics and the lives of former leaders.’ Jeff Kingston, Temple University Japan

• 1. Introduction2. Former Leaders, Informal Politics and the Japanese Prime Minister3. Former Japanese Prime Ministers, the Meiji Period to World War Two4. Former Japanese Prime Ministers, 1945 to 19895. Former Japanese Prime Ministers, 1989 to 20246. Analysis and Conclusions

Hugo Dobson is Professor of Japan’s International Relations at the School of Languages, Arts and Societies, University of Sheffield. Karin Narita is Research Associate in Japanese Politics and International Relations at the School of Languages, Arts and Societies, University of Sheffield. Caroline Rose is Emeritus Professor of Sino-Japanese Relations at the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, University of Leeds.

‘A fascinating analysis of an overlooked topic that provides rich context on Japanese politics and the lives of former leaders.’ Jeff Kingston, Temple University Japan

• 1. Introduction2. Former Leaders, Informal Politics and the Japanese Prime Minister3. Former Japanese Prime Ministers, the Meiji Period to World War Two4. Former Japanese Prime Ministers, 1945 to 19895. Former Japanese Prime Ministers, 1989 to 20246. Analysis and Conclusions