Evening star., 1932-02-09
TOXIC EX-M|N|STER
Of FINANCE SLAIN
Inouye, Leader of Minseito,
Is ASSassinated at Po-
IiticaI Meeting.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
TOXIC, February 9.-Junnosuke In
ouye, one OF Japan's outstanding finan-
ciers and leader of the Minseito party,
was killed tonight by 23-year-old as
sassin who fired on him as he arrived
at political meeting.
The assailant, whose name is Tadashi
Konuma, was arrested Immediately. The
motive for the crime was not known.
Next to Yuko Hamaguchi. who died
last August of an assassin's bullet, Mr..
Inouye, who twice served as finance
minister, was regarded as the strongest
man in the Minseito party.
Reijiro Wakatsuki succeeded Hamag
uchi as premier and head of the party.
but his elevation was considered
temporary expedient and Inouye was
expected to become the party chief
and premier whenever the Minseito
faction returned to power, probably in
the general election, which is to be held
on February 20.
During his last term as minister Of
finance he fought hard to keep Japan
on the gold standard. and that stand
ard was not abandoned until the Min
seitos went out with the recent cabinet
reorganization.
Konuma'S identity was not known to
the police He wore shabby Japa-
nese kimono when they arrested him
and it could not be determined imme-
diately whether he was politically a
militarist.
Visited United States
Inouye was long staunch advocate
Of Japanese-American amity, and as
vice president of the America japan
Society he made several Journeys TO
the United States. He numbered
scores of noted American financiers
among his friends, as well as leaders
in other fields in the United States.
Close associates said Inouye had
opposed the Manchurian campaign
from its start and reports had been
frequently current that his life was in
danger from plots.
1t was recalled that bomb had ex-
ploded inside of Inouye's Toxic resi-
dence on February 5, 1881 while he
was away. Five men were arrested and
lueHlIleU as members OF tNe Reac-
tionary Patriotic Society
Hamaguchi himself was shot by a
member of the Reactionary Society.
Inouye's opposition to the Manchurian
campaign was not generally known to
the public. His financial policy. in
cluding national economy and deflation
was among the principal reasons for the
fall of the Minseito cabinet late last
year. His financial policy also made
him the target Of abuse from political
opponents who declared he was re-
sponsible for Japans hard times.
His Wife DryEyed
The wife Of the noted politician
arrived at the hospital soon after her
husbands body. Dignified and dry
eyed she received condolences. She said
she had feared and prepared herself
to bear such tragedy while her hus-
band was finance minister, but had
hoped the danger was past.
Three bullets struck Inouye in the
left breast and two Of them were be-
lieved to have pierced his heart. He
expired before friends could reach his
side.
The weapon used by the assassin was
not found on Konuma and police said
they believed he had passed it to ar
accomplice who escaped
The former finance minister was 63
years old His term as finance minister
lasted from July, 1929. to December.
1881. He formerly was president of the
Yokohama Specie Bank and governor of
the Bank of Japan.