One could hardly imagine a more traumatic political time to visit Japan than late April 1989, when Taoiseach Charles Haughey arrived there. The deputy prime minister and minister for finance were both forced out of office early, due to their involvement. As no stranger to controversy himself, Mr Haughey realised his state visit would be welcomed by the government as a diversion from its travails. As a result his four-day visit was surprisingly successful, even though Mr Takeshita had to announce his resignation during those four dramatic days. Next day, which was Mr Haughey’s second full day in the country, Mr Takeshita announced that he was stepping down as prime minister.

Source: Irish Examiner December 30, 2019 04:18 UTC