Japan's 1st MOX plant

Japan's 1st MOX plant

AOMORI, Japan - Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. Executive Vice President Koichi Ikeda (R) orders a loading shovel to start operations during a groundbreaking ceremony for Japan's first commercial plant to produce plutonium-uranium mixed oxide, or MOX, fuel, an integral part of the nation's nuclear fuel cycle policy, in the village of Rokkasho, Aomori Prefecture, on Oct. 28, 2010.

Asahi Breweries names Asahi Soft Drinks chief Ogita as new president

Asahi Breweries names Asahi Soft Drinks chief Ogita as new president

TOKYO, Japan - Hitoshi Ogita, president of Asahi Soft Drinks, speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 10 after being appointed to succeed Koichi Ikeda as president of Asahi Breweries Ltd.

Kyowa Hakko to sell liquor operations to Asahi Breweries

Kyowa Hakko to sell liquor operations to Asahi Breweries

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Ikeda (L), president of Asahi Breweries Ltd., and Tadashi Hirata, president of Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., a fermented-chemical manufacturer, speak at a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 18. They said Kyowa will sell its alcoholic beverage operations to Asahi for 20 billion yen.

Ikeda to become president of Asahi Breweries on Jan. 5

Ikeda to become president of Asahi Breweries on Jan. 5

TOKYO, Japan - Three top executives of Asahi Breweries Ltd. sit for a news conference in Tokyo on Dec. 19. (From L to R) President and chief operating officer Shigeo Fukuchi, Chairman and chief executive officer Yuzo Seto, and Senior Managing Director Koichi Ikeda. On Jan. 5 next year, Ikeda will succeed Fukuchi as president and COO. Fukuchi will succeed Seto who will serve as an adviser with a seat on the board of directors.

Horiuchi launches new LDP faction

Horiuchi launches new LDP faction

TOKYO, Japan - Mitsuo Horiuchi (C), a former trade and industry minister, along with former Health and Welfare Minister Yuya Niwa (L) and former Foreign Minister Yukihiko Ikeda (R), attends a news conference at the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's headquarters in Tokyo's Nagatacho on Jan. 31 after launching a new LDP faction, a move marking the formal split of Kochikai, the second largest intraparty power group headed by former LDP Secretary General Koichi Kato.

LDP candidate Kato visits ex-premier Ikeda

LDP candidate Kato visits ex-premier Ikeda

TOKYO, Japan - Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) heavyweight Koichi Kato, one of three candidates in the Sept. 21 leadership race in the ruling party, visits the grave in Tokyo of former prime minister Hayato Ikeda on Aug. 14. Ikeda, who served as premier in 1960-64 belonged to the ''Kochi-kai'' faction of the LDP. It was later renamed the Kato faction. The photo shows Kato (C) and his wife Aiko (R).

Ikeda to become president of Asahi Breweries on Jan. 5

Ikeda to become president of Asahi Breweries on Jan. 5

TOKYO, Japan - Three top executives of Asahi Breweries Ltd. sit for a news conference in Tokyo on Dec. 19. (From L to R) President and chief operating officer Shigeo Fukuchi, Chairman and chief executive officer Yuzo Seto, and Senior Managing Director Koichi Ikeda. On Jan. 5 next year, Ikeda will succeed Fukuchi as president and COO. Fukuchi will succeed Seto who will serve as an adviser with a seat on the board of directors.

Asahi Breweries names Asahi Soft Drinks chief Ogita as new presi

Asahi Breweries names Asahi Soft Drinks chief Ogita as new presi

TOKYO, Japan - Hitoshi Ogita, president of Asahi Soft Drinks, speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 10 after being appointed to succeed Koichi Ikeda as president of Asahi Breweries Ltd. (Kyodo)

Memorial ceremony for Siberia detainees held at Tokyo cemetery

Memorial ceremony for Siberia detainees held at Tokyo cemetery

Koichi Ikeda, who survived detention in Siberia after the end of World War II, speaks at the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery in Tokyo on Aug. 23, 2015, during a memorial ceremony for fellow Japanese detainees who died. The day marked the 70th anniversary of Soviet leader Josef Stalin's issuance of an order for detention and forced labor of former Japanese soldiers in Siberia. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Kyowa Hakko to sell liquor operations to Asahi Breweries

Kyowa Hakko to sell liquor operations to Asahi Breweries

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Ikeda (L), president of Asahi Breweries Ltd., and Tadashi Hirata, president of Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., a fermented-chemical manufacturer, speak at a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 18. They said Kyowa will sell its alcoholic beverage operations to Asahi for 20 billion yen.

Japan's 1st MOX plant

Japan's 1st MOX plant

AOMORI, Japan - Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. Executive Vice President Koichi Ikeda (R) orders a loading shovel to start operations during a groundbreaking ceremony for Japan's first commercial plant to produce plutonium-uranium mixed oxide, or MOX, fuel, an integral part of the nation's nuclear fuel cycle policy, in the village of Rokkasho, Aomori Prefecture, on Oct. 28, 2010. (Kyodo)

Horiuchi launches new LDP faction

Horiuchi launches new LDP faction

TOKYO, Japan - Mitsuo Horiuchi (C), a former trade and industry minister, along with former Health and Welfare Minister Yuya Niwa (L) and former Foreign Minister Yukihiko Ikeda (R), attends a news conference at the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's headquarters in Tokyo's Nagatacho on Jan. 31 after launching a new LDP faction, a move marking the formal split of Kochikai, the second largest intraparty power group headed by former LDP Secretary General Koichi Kato.

LDP candidate Kato visits ex-premier Ikeda

LDP candidate Kato visits ex-premier Ikeda

TOKYO, Japan - Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) heavyweight Koichi Kato, one of three candidates in the Sept. 21 leadership race in the ruling party, visits the grave in Tokyo of former prime minister Hayato Ikeda on Aug. 14. Ikeda, who served as premier in 1960-64 belonged to the ''Kochi-kai'' faction of the LDP. It was later renamed the Kato faction. The photo shows Kato (C) and his wife Aiko (R).