Former Japanese House Speaker Yohei Kono dies aged 89
NHK News Japan confirms the death of Yohei Kono, who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives, at the age of 89.
Yohei Kono, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives and former president of the Liberal Democratic Party, has died. He was 89 years old. The announcement was made by NHK News Japan on 10 June 2026.
Kono hailed from Hiratsuka City in Kanagawa Prefecture. He came from a family with a long-standing presence in Japanese governance. His father, Ichiro Kono, served as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and Minister of Construction. His uncle, Kenzo Kono, held the position of President of the House of Councillors.
The source material does not specify the cause of death or the exact location where Kono passed away. The report focuses on his official roles and familial political connections rather than medical details or the circumstances surrounding his death.
Kono’s career included leadership within the Liberal Democratic Party and the upper chamber of the Japanese parliament. His tenure as Speaker of the House of Representatives placed him at the centre of legislative proceedings, a role that required maintaining institutional order and procedural integrity.
The death of a figure with Kono’s profile marks a significant shift in the composition of Japan’s political establishment. His passing removes a key voice from the Liberal Democratic Party’s historical leadership ranks and concludes the public service of a member of one of the country’s most recognised political families.
NHK News Japan provided the initial confirmation of the event. Further details regarding state honours or official mourning periods have not been included in the current report.
