Quick Facts
Biography
Haruo Maekawa (前川春雄, Maekawa Haruo, February 6, 1911 – September 22, 1989), also romanized as Mayekawa, was a Japanese businessman, central banker, the 24th Governor of the Bank of Japan (BOJ).
Early life
Maekawa was born in Tokyo.
Career
Before rising to become head of the Bank of Japan, Maekawa held other bank positions, including director of foreign-exchange operations.
Maekawa was Governor of the Bank of Japan from December 17, 1979 through December 16, 1984, having previously served as Deputy Governor from 1974 to 1979. Along with Finance Minister Noboru Takeshita, he was credited with negotiating a Saudi-Japan petrodollar accord in 1980.
In 1986, the Maekawa Commission (the "Advisory Group on Economic Restructuring" headed by Maekawa) proposed economic reforms designed to make the living standards of Japanese more comparable to levels enjoyed in the West. Maekawa is credited as the chief author of the commission report.