Former PM Hatoyama's mother dies at 90

National Feb. 12, 2013 - 01:28PM JST ( 13 )

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13 Comments

-4

CrisGerSanFeb. 12, 2013 - 02:34PM JST

She was a fine lady and a great family member and deserved her accolades. Silly to mention that frivolous set of charges, why should a mother NOT give her own kids gifts? Silly to even question it. Take care and peace to her spirit. She will be missed.
5

rickyveeFeb. 12, 2013 - 02:54PM JST

why was she a "fine lady?" just for being rich and giving tons of money to her son? i fail to see the connection.
2

Jason StilesFeb. 12, 2013 - 03:19PM JST

May she have everlasting happyness and peace.
6

wanderlustFeb. 12, 2013 - 03:33PM JST

Does this mean that Hatoyama-san will no longer receive any payments? He'll have to start working?
5

KundongFeb. 12, 2013 - 03:40PM JST

Who cares? Why is this news?

The hereditary entitlement to political positions is a fairly ugly and dysfunctional part of Japanese politics.
2

semperfiFeb. 12, 2013 - 04:30PM JST

Kundong :*

The hereditary entitlement to political positions is a fairly ugly and dysfunctional part of Japanese politics*

Not only J politics. .............................Tell me a country that doesn't have 'hereditary entitlement'
1

smithinjapanFeb. 12, 2013 - 05:26PM JST

CrisGerSan: " Silly to mention that frivolous set of charges, why should a mother NOT give her own kids gifts?"

No one said she shouldn't -- but when one is not paying taxes on said gifts and/or it is put forth as a political donation, that's illegal.

In any case, Hatoyama is proving to be a better man behind the scenes than he ever was as PM, and his apology in China is proof of that -- that he really cares. No doubt he keenly feels the loss of his mother. We all have to go some time, and 90 is not a bad age at all.
-4

tmarieFeb. 12, 2013 - 05:29PM JST

**This was probed as a possible illegal political donation, but no charges were ever laid against her. **

Oh shockers there!

Tell me a country that doesn't have 'hereditary entitlement'

There is hereditary entitlement and then government hereditary entitlement. Japanese suffers from both.

RIP old lady.
5

KundongFeb. 12, 2013 - 06:07PM JST

Semperfi,

Research the facts.

In 2009 5% of the US Congress were descendants of lawmakers, and 40% of LDP lawmakers are descendants of lawmakers.

Japan not only has a PROBLEM it has a RELATIVELY LARGER PROBLEM than other democracies, with the hereditary entitlement to political positions.
1

CosFeb. 12, 2013 - 07:45PM JST

Oh dear, the photo !
0

whiskeysourFeb. 12, 2013 - 10:47PM JST

(sarcastic remark) Hahaha ! ! ! Nice bathing suits the boys have on !!!! Hahaha !!!!

Very funny !!!

Cash Rules Everything Around Me Cream Get The Money Yen Yen Bill Yalllll !!!!!

She continued to be a controversial figure in Japanese politics, allegedly gifting hundreds of millions of yen to her sons in Bridgestone shares and in cash.
0

walteryFeb. 13, 2013 - 12:26AM JST

RIP. you deserve it.
0

LiveInTokyoFeb. 13, 2013 - 12:44AM JST

For a rich family you think they would have been able to afford some better bathers.