Shin Kanemaru (éÂÂ丸 ä¿¡ Kanemaru Shin, 17 September 1914 â 28 March 1996) was a Japanese politician who was a significant figure in the political arena of Japan from the 1970s to the early 1990s. He was also Director General of the Japan Defense Agency from 1977 to 1978.
Kanemaru was born in Suwa village (now Minami-arupusu city), Yamanashi Prefecture on 17 September 1914, to a moderately wealthy sake brewer family. His father was also involved in local politics. He attended the Tokyo University of Agriculture, but was more interested judo than academics. After graduating he became a taught biology and judo at a junior high school in Yamanashi Prefecture.
He was conscripted into the army and served briefly in the Kwantung Army in 1938. He was discharged due to illness and returned to Japan. After his military service, he entered into the sake brewing business and was later involved in the concrete and souvenir businesses. He was a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and a member of the faction of Noboru Takeshita.
In 1992, he was indicted in the Sagawa Kyubin corruption scandal. He was charged with evading taxes on payments he had received from construction companies that were seeking political influence. He resigned and was arrested on 13 March 1993 after authorities found at least $51 million in bearer bonds and hundreds of pounds of gold stored at his home.
He has a son, Shingo Shin. Kanemaru died in Yamanashi on 28 March 1996 at the age of 81.