Takeo Hiranuma
| Takeo Hiranuma | |
|---|---|
| 平沼 赳夫 | |
 | |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
3 August 1939 Tokyo, Japan |
| Political party | Liberal Democratic Party |
| Other political affiliations |
Party for Future Generations (2014-2015) Japan Restoration Party (2012-2014) Sunrise Party (2010-2012) Liberal Democratic Party (Japan) (1980-2005) |
| Spouse(s) | Masako Hiranuma |
| Children |
Keiichiro Shoujiro Hiroko |
| Alma mater | Keio University |
| Religion | Shinto |
| Website | http://www.hiranuma.org/ |
Takeo Hiranuma (平沼 赳夫 Hiranuma Takeo, born 3 August 1939) is a Japanese politician and a member of the House of Representatives. He is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and is former chairperson of the Party for Future Generations.[1]
Basic biography
Takeo Hiranuma was adopted by his maternal great-uncle, the younger brother of his grandfather Kiichirō Hiranuma, with his father and mother (all family together). Kiichirō Hiranuma was Prime Minister of Japan until 30 August 1939, and, had no wife nor biological children.
Hiranuma attended Keio University and worked in the private sector for eleven years until moving to served as an aide for Ichiro Nakagawa and Eisaku Satō. He then ran for a seat in the House of Representatives twice and failed, until he was finally elected in 1980 as a member of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party.
Political career
Hiranuma served as vice minister for the ministry of finance in 1987 and minister of transport in 1995.
Hiranuma was made minister of international trade and industry in July 2000.[2] His portfolio changed when the ministry was renamed as ministry of economy, trade, and industry in January 2001.[2] Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi reappointed him as minister of economy, trade, and industry in April 2001.[2] Hiranuma retained his post in the cabinet reshuffle of September 2002, becoming the longest-serving trade minister of Japan in postwar period.[2] He was fired in August 2005 when Hiranuma refused to support the Prime Minister's plans to privatize Japan Post. He was not endorsed by the Liberal Democratic Party in the 11 September 2005 election, but he was nonetheless reelected.
On 10 April 2010, he and several other politicians established a new political party, the Sunrise Party of Japan. This party merged with the Japan Restoration Party on 17 November 2012; Hiranuma was one of a number of politicians who subsequently left the Japan Restoration Party to form the Party for Future Generations on 1 August 2014.
Hiranuma rejoined the Liberal Democratic Party on 25 September 2015.[3]
Controversial statements
On 1 February 2006, he argued against the proposed imperial reform bill on the grounds that Princess Aiko could potentially marry and have children with a "blue-eyed foreigner" in the future.[4][5] The argument has been considered outdated and discriminatory by many.[6]
During a speech on 17 January 2009 in the city of Okayama, Hiranuma criticized diet member Renhou Murata's support of budget cuts to Japan's supercomputer program by insinuating that she may not have Japan's best interests at heart because she is not a Japanese national by birth.[7]
Hiranuma is affiliated to the openly revisionist organization Nippon Kaigi.[8]
References
- ↑ http://jisedai.jp/en-OFFICERLIST.html
- 1 2 3 4 "Japan's longest-serving trade minister". Xinhuanet. 30 September 2002. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ↑ "次世代、平沼党首が離党 病気で入院中 自民復党目指す". Sankei Shimbun. 25 September 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
- ↑ Female on throne could marry foreigner, Hiranuma warns Japan Times 2 February 2006
- ↑ Rally against Japan royals change BBC
- ↑ "Still Taboo After All These Years: Japan's New Imperial Heir and the Media". Retrieved 10 August 2016.
- ↑ Gaffe-prone Hiranuma refers to Renho as 'not originally Japanese' The Japan Times
- ↑ "Major conservative nationalist organizations in Japan" (Asia Policy Point - 2007)
External links
- www.hiranuma.org - Official Website