is congratulated by Nobusuke Kishi after winning a runoff election for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party presidency on Dec. 14, 1956. KYODO PHOTO

"It was a chilling moment," said Toshio Sato, 75, a former political reporter for Kyodo News, recalling the presidential election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Dec. 14, 1956, in which Kishi was regarded as the sure winner.

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