Former PM Hosokawa ready to run for Tokyo governor

You know, I had to Google that word 'gubernatorial'... I should have guessed it was an American word, lol.

It seems some people just can't bow out of politics. Surely when you've held top office anything else is a come down?

As he is against nuclear power, he is alright by me.

No he's not good. He was a terrible PM. Can't count on him.

Here is a guy who will takes majority votes. Wish him the best!!

He has different view on Japan;s action of WW II. Hosokawa made several unprecedented moves toward atonement with Japan's Asian neighbors during his term as prime minister. In his first news conference in office, he made an unprecedented statement acknowledging that Japan waged a war of aggression in World War II. He later said: "You can obviously define 'aggression' in any number of ways, depending on context. But if you have any common sense, you just cannot say in good conscience that Japan was not the aggressor when Japan did in fact cause tremendous anguish and loss of life in China, Korea and Southeast Asian nations in order to protect its own interests. I knew my opinion was going to invite heated controversy."

On 6 November 1993, he visited South Korea, where he had a summit with President Kim Young-sam in Gyeongju and again offered a clear apology to the Korean people for Japan's actions in the war, statements which were widely applauded in Korea. Hosokawa viewed the Japanese annexation of Korea as "wrong" and rejected the common view in Japan that it was with Korea's consent and was beneficial to Korea. On 19 March 1994, he visited China, and the two governments signed an agreement of cooperation in environmental protection.

In May 1994, right-wing extremist Masakatsu Nozoe fired a gunshot into the ceiling of a Tokyo hotel where Hosokawa was giving a speech, in apparent protest of Hosokawa's statements.[3]

Hosokawa's acts toward China and Korea inspired Russian president Boris Yeltsin to apologize to Hosokawa for the Soviet detention of Japanese prisoners of war in Siberia. Hosokawa later speculated that if both men had remained in office longer Russian-Japanese relations would have improved significantly.[2] Hosokawa also had a good personal relationship with Bill Clinton, but trade disputes between Japan and the United States dominated US-Japan relations during Hosokawa's tenure

About his ability to Govern Tokyo, he was the Kumamoto Prefecture Governor 1983 to `991. How about handling media? He worked for Asahi Shinbun, He was 1st none-LDP PM since 1955 and 8 different Political Party coolition pushed him to be PM. 8 parties included Komeito. LDP support Masuzoe but Kind of hard to predict DPJ support and Komeito support for Masuzoe now.

toshikoJan. 10, 2014 - 11:55PM JST

Thank you for the info listed above. This is a very serious analysis disclosing his geo political views.

Would you mind if you are willing to disclose the sources for me? Thanks.

In 2014, Hosokawa was approached by the DPJ to run in the Tokyo gubernatorial election. Although Hosokawa initially turned down their request, Koizumi encouraged him to run for the primary purpose of gathering public opposition to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's pro-nuclear policies, and Hosokawa again considered running for the office. This was a blow to Yoichi Masuzoe, the LDP-supported candidate who was also supported by elements within the DPJ and who had previously been considered the lone front-runner in the race

Hosokawa lives in Yugawara, Kanagawa. His wife, Kayoko Hosokawa, served as honorary chair of the Special Olympics Nippon Foundation and headed NPOs devoted to providing vaccines to children in developing nations and helping the intellectually disabled

He has one big advantage. Kumamon is popular

There are many innovative Kumamoto grew opeople. I hate to write this but there is a statue in one of schools in Kumamoto.l He was titled the father of Japanese agriculture. What he did? He invented chemical fertilizer in Japan wary way years ago. Until that, Japanese farmers used human waste as fertilizers. About a couple hundred years ago? I'd bet Hosokawa's ancestor Lord helped these scientists after Samurai system was abolished.

If you waqnt to learn more about Hosokawa story, just look in old issues of magazines and weeklies around when Hosolawa was PM. Maybe learn the samurai who designed and built Kumamoto Castle. Kiyomasa Kato.

Wait a little bit more. There will be more candidates, I believe.

Hosokawa's alright--his timing was a transitional period in Japan, looking back. He'd be alright coming back into politics, as long as It's not Nakasone!!!...

Kakuei Tanaka or his daughter would be my choice--RIP.

If people want 'sources', stay in Japan for an actual amount of time and LEARN Japanese!!!!...none of this armchair entitlement.

I think he has very good intentions for the good of the nation as Toshiko mentioned. He is a blueblood though, and when the going got tough as PM, he quit. Wonder how he's going to handle a big city like Tokyo? Plus his age. But the Japanese don't mind old.

Oh great another corrupt DPJ leftist member trying to get his foot in the door again.

He resigned from LDP because he had different ideas for future Japan. Then LDP lost power and 8 different parties made coalition and recruited Hosokawa to be PM. He tried to be democratic Govt but he lisetend every party ideas. All different ideas. He could not make concensus. So, he quitted. It was not leftist Govt so JCP did not support him. Well, he did excellent when he was Kumamot Prefecture governor. Since this is Tokyo Governor election, not selection of PM, Koizumi had been recruiting Hosokawa. Left wing aly endorsed Utsunomiya. Independent candidates. He may be able to invite Olympic visitors from Asian Countries. Tpkyo Assembly members are mum, but his relationship with Asian Countries may be plus for Tokyo tourisms and economic situation. After all Japan Inc operate from tokyo.

Blue Blood? One of his Grand father was Prince Konoye who was once PM. He himself was Marquis when he was born, just like his father. When Noble ranks were abolished in 1945, he lost marquis title. His ancesotrs had been lord (Tonosama) for generations until Meiji Ishin, But he tends to forget his blue blood and he loves democracy. Maybe he stop too much of democracy pusher so that he could control various people?

Hosokawa is a better choice than Ishihara's crony JASDF general. Tokyo population, make the right choice please...

Name recognition of a candidate in Tokyo is important. I mean positive, not stupid. OK, Tamagami sounds he does not know how to read books about Japan's time during WW II. Masuzoe is well known in LDP political circuit but Voters are Tokyo people. Hosokawa was PM and he made headlines during his PM time on apologizaing, etc. So, people remembers him. Utsunomiya was 2nd after Inose in last election so people remember. However, he was endorsed by Kyosan-to and Shakai-to. That is minus beside he thinks Tokyo Government spend Olympic cost/ He does not know Japan Inc will spend huge ad money to make Ioc and Joc good income. Japan Inc was not interested in advertising in Turkey or Spain. So, my guess (not percentage computed analysis yet) is Hosokawa will defeat Utsunomiya. Masuzoe had a good chance but Hosokawa came out so Masuzoe will lose DPJ supportimg Tokyo people's vote. He is not well known by Tokyo people anyway. Nuclear Energy is old energy. Solar Energy has been new fashion now. Anti Nuclear Energy platform is pretty well axccepted, I'd bet. Many Japanese do not trust politcians who married three times (especially female voters) anyway.

A 80% of Japanese voters are against nuke energy plants restart. Hosokawa is running for anti nuke policy backed by former PM Koizumi as well as PM Abe's wife. This political dynamic is telling me that true political power of Japan rests in hands of bureaucrats.

IIn Tokyo, election of Governor is very important. Along with Assembly members, they make decisions. Bureaucrats do not make decisions, Any Government offices, they are just government employees to carry out whatever assigned to them. They are not policy makers until they become politicians. . It is easy to say anti nuclear. However, you need another energy resouce to replace Nuclear Energy. Maybe increasing import from Iran? Maybe oil from African countries? If not encourage Solar Energy Panel manufacturers and Solar Energy Plant operators ?

toshikoJan. 11, 2014 - 11:27AM JST

IIn Tokyo, election of Governor is very important. Along with Assembly members, they make decisions. Bureaucrats do not make decisions, Any Government offices, they are just government employees to carry out whatever assigned to them.

Hope you are correct. There are many research books written about J. Politics. And they suggest that J. Politics are actually run by bureaucrats. Democracy; by the people, of the people, for the people, is absent in Japan.

It is easy to say anti nuclear. However, you need another energy resouce to replace Nuclear Energy. Maybe increasing import from Iran? Maybe oil from African countries? If not encourage Solar Energy Panel manufacturers and Solar Energy Plant operators ?

Nuke is an ivory tower of bureaucrats to keep them in power. Simple.

@g lobalwatcher: Come to Japan and visit any government office. talk with them what kind of job they do. They could be statistical analyst, information technologist, software developer, accountant, inhouse llb, as they can speak English. You can not guess what they do by just reading books written in english in USA. Just nose around what vureaucrat do in Japan. ]About Solar energy, vistt California to see Mitsubishi created solar energy plants. Houses in Japan is chaper than Beverly Hills or Newport Beach but solar panel used power plant is not there yet. Books are not source of reality.

Koizumi has been talking with Hosokawa about anti-nuclear agenda. Abe's wife has been too busy to watch Abe;'s health. don;t expecdt she has some agenda other than her husband's. 'As far as magazine issues (Josei to Rekishi issues of magazines), there is no record she got into mess of Japanese politics. No, just like japanese ladies, she does not oppose whatever Abe does. Anti-nuclear is one of agendas. Hosokawa will have. Tokyo related agendas nore than just anti-nuclear issues. Maybe he will say something that will be a top stories of Japanese magazines? Watch out Chuoh Koron, Shincho, /BungeiShunju extras. He had habit of talking issues both Right Wing and Left Wing hates to talk.. Maybe this time about issues of helpless handicapped people in Tokyo? When he was Kumamoto Governor, he was very good for prefecture and its people. One thing is for sure. He will not be a target of Japan bashing by Korea and China. Acceptance of him by Tpkyo people will decide this election. It has nothing to do with all Japanese people, etc.

The guy is 76 years old, he should be sitting back in a retirement home, not running for Tokyo governor!

@Aussieboy: 76 is not old in Japan. There are many people who are over 90, some are over 100. This is Tokyo story but Okinawa people live long long life. In USA, many politicians are way older than 70. If he is healthy, he is ok. Better than sicky youngsters or brainless youngsters..

76…hmm. True, in the U.S. Senate there were Strom Thurmond, Inouye who served till almost 90 years old. Hosokawa certainly has done it all. Being a bluebood, sarariiman, governor, potter, PM…and seems sincere in his efforts. I'm surprised he turned Kumamoto into a hi-tech prefecture. I had a different image of Kumamoto before. If he has honest and sincere aides, and a good cabinet around him, maybe he will prevail in Tokyo, despite his age. At least he's rich and comfortable enough that he won't be taking $500,000 donations.

Maybe these four current candidates are only candidates? Long time LDP members haven;t forgot Hosokawa created chaos to LDP in LDP that was first time LDP lost power since 1955. However, Hosokawa quitted without de3fending himself on loan scandal. He borrowed money from one entity and he returned. Usually people defend by showing proof of returned reciet given, but he did not. He did not stay as PM too long. Well Mdia idol Koizumi suopport helps This time, he should not quit prematurely. Different type of politician. He behaved like Guilty if accused. Tokyo voters are urvbine voters. They don;t votes for party endorsed people. that is why every candidates are independent. We have to wait NHK polls and Asahi polls done with a few tounsdand Tokyo voters. These polls are pretty reliable. Just selected Tokyo voters. Hosokaqwa declaration with Koizumi back up, other candidates have no chance as of now. Smear campaigns will go as usually. This time, he should not give up as Tokyo voters will decide who will be.

toshikoJan. 11, 2014 - 12:37PM JST

@g lobalwatcher: Come to Japan and visit any government office. talk with them what kind of job they do. They could be statistical analyst, information technologist, software developer, accountant, inhouse llb, as they can speak English. You can not guess what they do by just reading books written in english in USA

No, Toshiko, you are talking about different level of bureaucrats. There are enough " Japan Think Tank" research already done in Washington on this subject.

@global Japan think Tank is not Japanese Bureaucrat. Think Tank in Japan has nothiong to deo with Bureaucrat. You need to learn about Japan. People wroting on JT comments either live in Japan or had been to Japan. Do you know what is Think Tank??? Do you know Tokyo is not in USA? Anyway, Please visit Japan. Check Tokyo Govt bureaus.

Back to topic, there are few more potential candidates. Yoshihiro Nakamatsu had been running about 7 times. Setsuo Yamaguch Shigeharu Yoshida. The habitual runners usually have oess than 1 % voting they received.

toshikoJan. 12, 2014 - 01:25PM JST

@global Japan think Tank is not Japanese Bureaucrat

No, there are several good "Think Tank" research groups doing nothing but Japan research in USA.

@global watcher: Why don;t you visit one of research groups in USA. Ask kanryo, Jimusho, ka and kanryo shugi. And I suggest you write about Tokyo Govt, jimusho and jimuin?

toshikoJan. 12, 2014 - 02:00PM JST

@global watcher: Why don;t you visit one of research groups in USA. Ask kanryo, Jimusho, ka and kanryo shugi. And I suggest you write about Tokyo Govt, jimusho and jimuin?

You are talking to me.

@globalwaqtcher: Since you were unfamiliar with Tokyo bureaus and wrote aqbout books you reead in USA, then think Tank. So, I talked to you.

Back to Hosokawa issues, I heard that he is going to work on overhaul of welfare system. He will not neglect anti-nuclear issue but since Tokyo Governor he will look for, he will work on Tokyo problems more, I heard.

Toshiko san, I gave up. I am not interested in trivial. Japan is still run by bureaucrats. True democracy is absent in your country.

Hosokawa will push his agenda more than Koizumi wish, I believe. Hosokawa and Koizumi has different background and family life. Hosokawa value more family life. Hosokawa does not have yakuza family background. Koizumi;s grandfather's nickname was Tattoo minister/ 3rd generation politician. His grand father was -oh-oyabun of Koizumi -gumi yakuza group and became politician. He visited Yasukuni. Koizumi has three sons and youngets one who tried and tried to meet him he has been rejecting. Read old gossip magazines to find more about Koizumi. He is popular but ........ I thought Koizumi populasrity will help but after I dug old gossip magazines, I do hope Hosokawa stick to his life style for Tokyo people's sake. Blue blood people are better than yakuza related people. But Koizumi is not a candidate. So, Hosokawa has better chance than others. .