Mr. Tsuneo Watanabe, the Editor-in-Chief and Representative Director of the Yomiuri Shimbun Group Headquarters, passed away early on the 19th due to pneumonia at the age of 98. Mr. Watanabe joined the Yomiuri Shimbun in 1950 and excelled as a political reporter. He later served as the Political Department Head and Editorial Committee Chairman before becoming Editor-in-Chief in 1985, leading the editorial direction of the newspaper for nearly 40 years.
He was known for presenting bold proposals, such as publishing a draft constitutional amendment emphasizing the maintenance of self-defense capabilities, which sparked significant debate. Mr. Watanabe was influential not only as a journalist but also in policymaking and political affairs. Additionally, he served as the President and Chairman of the Yomiuri Shimbun Group, elevating the group to a dominant position in the media industry. He was widely recognized as the "Don of the Media World."

読売新聞グループ本社代表取締役主筆である渡辺恒雄氏が、19日未明、肺炎のため98歳で逝去しました。渡辺氏は1950年に読売新聞社に入社し、政治部記者として活躍。以後、政治部長や論説委員長を歴任し、1985年から主筆として社論を40年近く主導しました。同氏は自衛力保持を明記した憲法改正試案を発表するなど、議論を呼ぶ提案を行い、ジャーナリストとしてだけでなく、政策決定や政局にも影響を与える存在でした。また、読売新聞グループの社長や会長を務め、同グループをメディア界での一大勢力に押し上げた「メディア界のドン」として知られています。