Kanju Kato

Labor activist and politician. Born in Aichi Prefecture. Dropped out of Nihon University's law department. In 1920 (Taisho 9), he led the Yahata Steel Works strike. He later became chairman of the Japan Miners' Union and spearheaded coal mining strikes across the country. In 1935 (Showa 10), he became chairman of the National Council. In the 1936 general election, he ran an anti-fascist platform and was elected with the highest number of votes in the country. In 1937, he became chairman of the Japan Proletarian Party, but was arrested in the People's Front Incident. After Japan's defeat in the war, he participated in the formation of the Socialist Party, and advocated the formation of a united front as a representative of the left wing of the party. In 1948 (Showa 23), he joined the Ashida Hitoshi cabinet as Minister of Labor. When the Socialist Party split in 1951, he joined the right-wing Socialist Party. In 1969, he retired from the Diet and became an advisor to the Socialist Party. He was affectionately known as "Katokan" and was famous with his wife Shizue as the "lovebirds Diet member."

[Yuji Odabe]

"To My Beloved One Kanju - Kato Shizue Diary" written by Kato Shizue and edited by Funabashi Kuniko (1988, Shinyosha)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

労働運動家、政治家。愛知県生まれ。日本大学法科中退。1920年（大正9）八幡(やはた)製鉄争議を指導。その後、日本鉱夫組合委員長となり、各地の炭鉱ストの陣頭にたつ。1935年（昭和10）全国評議会委員長。1936年総選挙では反ファッショを掲げ、全国最高点で当選。1937年日本無産党委員長となるが、人民戦線事件で検挙される。敗戦後、社会党結成に参加、党内左派を代表し統一戦線の結成を主張。1948年（昭和23）芦田均(あしだひとし)内閣に労相として入閣。1951年の社会党分裂では右派社会党に参加。1969年代議士を引退し社会党顧問となる。「カトカン」の愛称で親しまれ、夫人シヅエとともに「おしどり代議士」として有名だった。

［小田部雄次］

『加藤シヅエ著・船橋邦子編『最愛のひと勘十へ――加藤シヅエ日記』（1988・新曜社）』

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