Tsuneo Watanabe, Yomiuri Shimbun Editor-in-Chief and Giants Owner, Dies at 98 in Tokyo

Dec 19, 2024, 12:54 AM

Tsuneo Watanabe, the editor-in-chief and representative director of Yomiuri Shimbun Group, passed away at the age of 98 due to lung inflammation at a Tokyo hospital. Watanabe, known by the nickname 'Nabetsune,' was a long-time editor and a prominent figure in Japan's media landscape, having joined Yomiuri Shimbun in 1950. He held various positions including Washington bureau chief, political department head, and editorial committee chairman before becoming president and editor-in-chief in 1991. Watanabe was instrumental in shaping the newspaper's editorial stance, advocating for a moderate and realistic perspective aligned with liberal conservative views. He was also known for his significant influence in politics, having close ties with several prime ministers including Yasuhiro Nakasone, Shinzo Abe, and Fumio Kishida. Watanabe's contributions extended to sports, serving as the owner of the Yomiuri Giants baseball team from 1996 to 2004. His funeral will be held privately with only close family members attending, and a memorial service is planned for a later date.