Pranab Mukherjee vs Yoshihiko Noda

Pranab Mukherjee was appointed as India's Finance Minister under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He presented several budgets and played a key role in economic policy during the 1980s.

Pranab Mukherjee served as India's External Affairs Minister from 1995 to 1996 under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. He handled India's foreign relations during a period of post-Cold War realignment.

As Finance Minister in the UPA government, Pranab Mukherjee presented the Union Budget for 2009-10, focusing on economic recovery from the global financial crisis. He introduced measures to boost growth and social welfare.

Pranab Mukherjee was elected as the 13th President of India, securing a landslide victory. He served from 2012 to 2017, becoming a respected constitutional figure known for his statesmanship.

Pranab Mukherjee was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in recognition of his distinguished service to the nation as a parliamentarian and minister. The award was announced posthumously after his death in 2020.

Noda became Prime Minister in September 2011, succeeding Naoto Kan. He was the last leader of the Democratic Party of Japan before Shinzo Abe's return to power in 2012, marking the end of the DPJ's brief period in government.

Noda pushed through a controversial bill to raise the consumption tax from 5% to 10% by 2014, despite opposition within his own party. The tax hike was intended to address Japan's massive public debt but cost the DPJ public support.

Noda dissolved the House of Representatives in November 2012, triggering a snap election. The DPJ suffered a historic defeat, winning only 57 seats, while the LDP under Shinzo Abe returned to power. This ended DPJ rule.

Noda's government nationalized three of the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands by purchasing them from a private Japanese owner. This move provoked massive anti-Japan protests in China and severely strained bilateral relations.