Kuniwo Nakamura
Encyclopedia
Kuniwo Nakamura was the President
and foreign minister of Palau
from 1993 until 2001.
from Matsusaka
, Ise Province
and a Palauan chieftain's daughter. He was studying in his second year of primary school when the surrender of Japan
ended World War II
. He graduated from high school under the U.S. occupation, and went on to study at the University of Hawaii
.
. He served as Vice-President
from 1988 to 1992. He was first elected president in the 1992 elections
; he attracted 3,125 votes, versus 2,084 for one-term incumbent Ngiratkel Etpison
and 3,188 for rival Johnson Toribiong
, and then went on to defeat Toribiong in the runoff. He served two terms, being re-elected in 1996
by a 64%-36% margin over Ibedul Yutaka Gibbons. He did not run in the 2000 elections
, but backed his vice-president Tommy Remengesau
, who emerged victorious by a 53%-47% margin against senator Peter Sugiyama
.
President of Palau
-List of Presidents of Palau:-Latest election:-See also:*Vice-President of Palau*High Commissioner of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands...
and foreign minister of Palau
Palau
Palau , officially the Republic of Palau , is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippines and south of Tokyo. In 1978, after three decades as being part of the United Nations trusteeship, Palau chose independence instead of becoming part of the Federated States of Micronesia, a...
from 1993 until 2001.
Background and early life
Nakamura is the son of a Japanese immigrantJapanese settlement in Palau
There is a small Japanese community in Palau, which mainly consists of Japanese expatriates residing in Palau over a long-term basis. A few Japanese expatriates started to reside in Palau after it gained independence in 1994, and established long-term businesses in the country...
from Matsusaka
Matsusaka, Mie
, sometimes called Matsuzaka, is a city located in central Mie Prefecture, on the island of Honshū, Japan. The city is famous for its beef.-Founding:...
, Ise Province
Ise Province
or was a province of Japan including most of modern Mie Prefecture. Ise bordered Iga, Kii, Mino, Ōmi, Owari, Shima, and Yamato Provinces.The ancient provincial capital was at Suzuka...
and a Palauan chieftain's daughter. He was studying in his second year of primary school when the surrender of Japan
Surrender of Japan
The surrender of Japan in 1945 brought hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy was incapable of conducting operations and an Allied invasion of Japan was imminent...
ended World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He graduated from high school under the U.S. occupation, and went on to study at the University of Hawaii
University of Hawaii
The University of Hawaii System, formally the University of Hawaii and popularly known as UH, is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment...
.
Career
Nakamura began his political career at the age of 28, becoming the youngest person to be elected to the Congress of MicronesiaCongress of Micronesia
The Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia has 14 non-partisan members, 10 members elected for a two year term in single-seat constituencies and 4 members elected for a four year term by proportional representation.-Speakers of the Congress:...
. He served as Vice-President
Vice-President of Palau
-List of Vice Presidents of Palau:...
from 1988 to 1992. He was first elected president in the 1992 elections
Palauan general election, 1992
General elections were held in Palau in 1992 to elect a President, Vice-President, Senate and House of Delegates. The first round of the presidential election took place on 22 September, whilst the run-off election and the election for the House of Delegates and Senate took place on 4 November. All...
; he attracted 3,125 votes, versus 2,084 for one-term incumbent Ngiratkel Etpison
Ngiratkel Etpison
Ngiratkel Etpison was a politician from Palau. He was elected the country's president in the 1988 elections, the final elections conducted under a plurality voting system, in which he received just 26% of the votes cast, defeating opponent Roman Tmetuchl by a margin of 31 votes...
and 3,188 for rival Johnson Toribiong
Johnson Toribiong
Johnson Toribiong is a Palauan attorney and politician who is the current President of Palau, following his victory in the November 2008 election.-Background and earlier career:...
, and then went on to defeat Toribiong in the runoff. He served two terms, being re-elected in 1996
Palauan general election, 1996
General elections were held in Palau in 1996 to elect a President, Vice-President, Senate and House of Delegates. The first round of the presidential election took place on 24 September, whilst the run-off election and the election for the House of Delegates and Senate took place on 5 November...
by a 64%-36% margin over Ibedul Yutaka Gibbons. He did not run in the 2000 elections
Palauan general election, 2000
General elections were held in Palau on 7 November 2000. Thomas Remengesau, Sr. was elected President, whilst Sandra Pierantozzi was elected Vice President.-President:-Senate:-House of Delegates:...
, but backed his vice-president Tommy Remengesau
Tommy Remengesau
Thomas Esang Remengesau, Jr. is a Palauan politician who served as president of Palau from 2001 to 2009.He became vice-president in 1992 and was elected as president in 2000; he took office on January 1, 2001. He wished to make Palau less dependent upon United States aid, and to promote limited...
, who emerged victorious by a 53%-47% margin against senator Peter Sugiyama
Peter Sugiyama
Peter Lawrence Naoya Sugiyama was a Palauan politician.-Personal life:Sugiyama's father was a Japanese immigrant...
.