Fire Consumes “Mejiro Goten,” One-time Home of Former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka

The Yomiuri Shimbun

21:04 JST, January 8, 2024

A fire broke out at the one-time home of former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, on Monday. The two-story, 800-square-meter wooden building was completely destroyed by the fire.

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Kakuei’s eldest daughter, Makiko, 79, a former foreign minister, and others were inside the residence when the fire broke out, but everyone evacuated without injury. Makiko said that she had been offering incense at a Buddhist altar. Police are investigating the cause of the fire.

The residence, known as “Mejiro Goten,” was a stage for Showa-era politics and was frequented by politicians and petitioners.