Akira Hatano

Akira Hatano (秦野 章, Hatano Akira, 10 October 1911 – 6 November 2002) was Japanese politician who served as a Minister of Justice from 1982 to 1983, under Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone. He served in the House of Councillors from 1974 to 1986.

Hatano was born in Fujisawa, Kanagawa. Before entering politics he was a police officer, serving as superintendent general of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department from 1967 to 1970. Hatano ran for Governor of Tokyo in 1971, but he was defeated by incumbent Governor Ryokichi Minobe. Hatano was known to be a friend of Kakuei Tanaka.