Kuniwo Nakamura


Kuniwo Nakamura is a Palauan politician who served as the President of Palau from 1993 to 2001. He had earlier served as Vice President of Palau from 1989 to 1993, under Ngiratkel Etpison.

Background and early life

Nakamura is the son of a Japanese immigrant from Matsusaka, Ise Province and a Palauan chieftain's daughter. He was studying in his second year of primary school when the surrender of Japan ended World War II. He graduated from high school under the U.S. occupation and went on to study at the University of Hawaii.

Career

Nakamura began his political career at the age of 28, becoming the youngest person to be elected to the Congress of Micronesia. He served as Vice-President from January 1989 to January 1993. He was first elected president in the 1992 elections; he attracted 3,125 votes, versus 2,084 for one-term incumbent Ngiratkel Etpison and 3,188 for rival Johnson Toribiong, and then went on to defeat Toribiong in the runoff. He served two terms, being re-elected in 1996 by a 64%-36% margin over Ibedul Yutaka Gibbons. He did not run in the 2000 elections, but backed his vice-president Tommy Remengesau, who emerged victorious by a 53%-47% margin against senator Peter Sugiyama.

Awards

Kuniwo Nakamura was awarded the World Peace Prize Top Honor in 1997 for his leadership in bringing independence and increased democracy to the Republic of Palau, promoting political stability, and preserving the natural environment.