Naoharu Kataoka

Businessman and politician. Born on September 18, 1855 in Tosa Province (Kochi Prefecture). After serving as an elementary school teacher, district clerk, and police chief of Shiga Prefecture, he left the government in 1889 (Meiji 22) and founded Nippon Life Insurance Company, serving as vice president and president. He also played an active role in the business world as president and executive of Kyodo Bank, Kiwa Railway, and Kansai Railway. After running for a seat in the Diet from Kochi in 1892, he was elected to the House of Representatives six times, and during the Taisho period, he served as general affairs manager of the Constitutional Party. In 1925 (Taisho 14), he became Minister of Commerce and Industry in the Constitutional Party cabinet, and the following year Minister of Finance. During his time as Minister of Finance, during deliberations in the Diet on a bill to compensate for losses on bills incurred in the earthquake disaster, he made the mistake of saying that the Tokyo Watanabe Bank, which was on the verge of bankruptcy, had gone bankrupt, which sparked a financial panic and caused the collapse of the cabinet. In 1930 (Showa 5), ​​he became an imperially appointed member of the House of Peers. Died on May 21, 1934.

[Tokuko Omori]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

実業家、政治家。安政(あんせい)6年9月18日土佐国（高知県）に生まれる。小学校教員、郡書記、滋賀県警察部長を務めたのち、1889年（明治22）官界を去り、日本生命保険会社を創立し、副社長、社長を歴任。同時に共同銀行、紀和鉄道、関西鉄道の社長、重役として実業界で活躍。かたわら、1892年高知から代議士に立候補以降、衆議院議員当選6回、大正時代は憲政会の総務を務めた。1925年（大正14）憲政会内閣の商工大臣、翌年大蔵大臣となる。蔵相時代に議会で震災手形損失補償法案の審議中、破綻(はたん)寸前の東京渡辺銀行を破綻したと失言したことが金融恐慌の発端となり、内閣倒壊の因となる。1930年（昭和5）に貴族院勅選議員となる。昭和9年5月21日没。

［大森とく子］

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