Tatsuo Ozawa

Tatsuo Ozawa (小沢 辰男) was a Japanese politician who served as minister of health and welfare, construction minister, and head of the Environment Agency.

Born in Niigata City as the son of House of Representatives member Kuniji Ozawa, and a graduate of Tokyo Imperial University's Law Department (School of Political Science), Ozawa joined the Home Ministry upon graduation. When that ministry was abolished in 1947, he was transferred to the Welfare Ministry.

He first won a seat in the House of Representatives in 1960 (on an LDP ticket) and served 13 consecutive terms.

In 1994, he founded the Niigata University of International and Information Studies.

Ozawa founded the Reform Club (Japan, 1998) (改革クラブ) political party in 1998, and served as its leader until his retirement from politics in 2000.

Awards

 * Grand Cordon of the Rising Sun, First Class (2000)