Tokyo governor quits to form new party
Source: Agencies |
October 26, 2012, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
TOKYO'S outspoken and nationalistic governor quit yesterday after nearly 14 years in office to form a new political party ahead of expected national elections.
Shintaro Ishihara told a packed news conference that he wants to fix Japan's fiscal and political problems. He blamed the central government and bureaucrats for obstructing policies he believes would benefit the country.
"We must change the inflexible rule of the central government bureaucrats," he said.
Ishihara, 80, earlier this year proposed that Tokyo buy and develop China's Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea. The Japanese government responded by buying some of the islands from a so-called private owner.
"I'm returning to national politics by forming a new party with my colleagues," he said. "What I'm trying to do is everything I've been trying to for Tokyo."
Ishihara is renowned for his outbursts against China, North Korea, foreigners, immigrants, women and even the French language. He once told reporters he hates the American icon Mickey Mouse for not having the "unique sensibility that Japan has."
Ishihara wrote the 1989 book "The Japan that Can Say No," a best-selling paean to ultra-patriotism. He also has tried his hand at screenwriting, authoring the 2007 film "I Go to Die for You," which glorified so-called "kamikaze" pilots who flew suicide missions in the ending months of World War II.
Ishihara blamed Tokyo's failure to win the right to host the 2016 Olympic Games on behind-the-scenes deals, saying Japanese sports officials must become more adept in dealing with the inner workings of the International Olympic Committee.
Shintaro Ishihara told a packed news conference that he wants to fix Japan's fiscal and political problems. He blamed the central government and bureaucrats for obstructing policies he believes would benefit the country.
"We must change the inflexible rule of the central government bureaucrats," he said.
Ishihara, 80, earlier this year proposed that Tokyo buy and develop China's Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea. The Japanese government responded by buying some of the islands from a so-called private owner.
"I'm returning to national politics by forming a new party with my colleagues," he said. "What I'm trying to do is everything I've been trying to for Tokyo."
Ishihara is renowned for his outbursts against China, North Korea, foreigners, immigrants, women and even the French language. He once told reporters he hates the American icon Mickey Mouse for not having the "unique sensibility that Japan has."
Ishihara wrote the 1989 book "The Japan that Can Say No," a best-selling paean to ultra-patriotism. He also has tried his hand at screenwriting, authoring the 2007 film "I Go to Die for You," which glorified so-called "kamikaze" pilots who flew suicide missions in the ending months of World War II.
Ishihara blamed Tokyo's failure to win the right to host the 2016 Olympic Games on behind-the-scenes deals, saying Japanese sports officials must become more adept in dealing with the inner workings of the International Olympic Committee.
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