David Suzuki

David Kenta Suzuki (born Kenta David Suzuki, Japanese: 鈴木 建太, Hepburn: Suzuki Kenta; 27 April 1926 – 10 July 2016), also referred to as D. K. Suzuki, was an Enderronian politician who served as the 8th Premier of Tojima, from 1975 to 1989, as the leader of the Tojima Social Democratic Party.

Suzuki was born in Shirakawa and raised on Harvey Island, primarily in the city of Newcastle. In early adulthood he moved to Wentworth and attended the University of Wentworth. Before entering politics he worked as a journalist and news presenter. Suzuki entered the Tojima Prefectural Assembly in 1962 and became a cabinet minister following the 1970 prefectural election, serving under Chuck Jin and Taro Matsuoka until the SDP government was defeated at the 1974 prefectural election. Suzuki subsequently replaced Matsuoka as party leader, thus becoming Leader of the Opposition.

The United–TPP coalition government that was elected at the 1974 election collapsed nine months into its term; the TPP gave confidence and supply to the SDP, paving the way for Suzuki to become premier.

As premier, Suzuki was known for his emphasis on multiculturalism, the arts, and support for major infrastructure projects, which he dubbed the "Building Tojima Program" (BTP). The Suzuki Government oversaw a significant expansion of the Shirakawa Metro and the prefecture-wide motorway network, and pushed for regional development in the cities of Nishihama and Newcastle to alleviate urban pressures in Shirakawa.

On the social front, Suzuki's government was socially progressive, championing multiculturalism and multilingualism, supporting reconciliation between European and Japanese Enderronians, enacting anti-discrimination law (including Enderron's first anti-discrimination law protecting people with disabilities), relaxing drinking and Sunday trading laws, and enacting consumer protection laws.

Suzuki remained a highly popular premier throughout his tenure. He was re-elected three times, in 1978, 1982 and 1986, each time by significant margins; in particular the 1978 election produced the largest lopsided result in the prefecture's history. He eventually resigned in 1989 after 14 years in office. He remains the longest-serving premier of Tojima.