Masaharu Ikuta, 1st Head of Pre-Privatization Japan Post, Dies at 88

Tokyo, Nov. 20 (Jiji Press)–Masaharu Ikuta, the first head of Japan Post, a state-run public corporation that preceded Japan’s postal privatization, died of old age at a Tokyo hospital on Nov. 13, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. announced Monday. He was 88. At the request of then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Ikuta, who had been president and chairman of the shipping company since 1994, becam…