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Tokyo Gov Shintaro Ishihara and his son Nobuteru Ishihara, secretary-general of the largest opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), have become embroiled in a public row over plans to create a new party to be led by the elder Ishihara.
In a television interview earlier this month, Nobuteru said, "He's being merely used as a pawn, and as his son, I don't like it."
His outspoken father, who also made headlines last week when he agreed with the mayor of Nagoya's statement that the 1937 "rape" of Nanjing by Japanese troops in 1937 never happened, was quoted by media as insisting that he wasn't being used and that his son shouldn't be making such remarks as the secretary-general of a political party, Jiji Press reported.
Nobuteru also criticized his father by saying, "He never served as LDP secretary-general. I guess he didn't realize how difficult it is to run a large organization until after he became governor of Tokyo," according to a Fuji TV report.
The elder Ishihara said on Feb 3 that he is eager to join a new political party with Shizuka Kamei, who leads the People’s New Party, the junior coalition partner of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, and Takeo Hiranuma, head of the opposition Sunrise Party.
The party will be the New Sunrise Party. Ishihara, 79, said he has done all he can for Tokyo and he now wants to help the New Sunrise Party to improve Japan for future generations.
The New Sunrise Party is expected to draw support from disgruntled members of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan and opposition parties.
The group is also believed to have contacted Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto and Aichi Gov Hideaki Omura.
© Japan Today
24 Comments
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Yukio Mishima
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree! This one is the spit out of his father's mouth!
supermonk7
Classic power grab.
tenguleavings
You mean the elder Ishihara wishes his son would keep his mouth shut and not rock the boat with needlessly provocative statements? Hmmmm.....
nath
Pretty genki for 79.
ironchef
comedy central continues.
CrazyJoe
I support Nobuteru Ishihara. The old fart governor should just fade away.
ogtob
Anyone else see any irony in the fact that this "New Sunrise" party is being formed by a bunch of old gits?
badmigraine
Political families are like Hollywood families. You can clearly see the corruption, nepotism and favoritism, and you know these aren't the most talented or best people for the job, but there's no alternative and nothing you can do about it. The game is rigged.
plasticmonkey
Even if the mayor is being used as a prawn, there's no reason for his son to get embroiled with him.
OldHawk
Ishihara could always be counted on for interesting quotes. Nice to see his son will continue the entertaining tradition.
Look at the bright side Japan, at least you don't have the Kennedy family...
Jared Norman
I question how the xenophobia is perfect to continue
ExportExpert
A self confessed racist wants to lead a political party? Shouldnt there be laws against that in this day and age?
Oh right not in Japan, got it !
zurcronium
Would not the correct name be the old sunset party? At least Japan does not have the bush family to endure.
BurakuminDes
I wonder what the black-sheep son, that "zany" weatherman, has to say about all this?
bam_boo
The article gives us a vivid idea about Ishihara family life, though I expected Confucian values to be better preserved there.
kakifry
The party will be the New Sunrise Party. Ishihara, 79, said he has done all he can for Tokyo and he now wants to help the New Sunrise Party to improve Japan for future generations.
Would this involve removing all foreigners from Japan and returning women to the role of baby-makers and housewives? Yeah, Japan will be talk of the world.....great material for comdeians for years to come.
smithinjapan
So the 'New Sunrise Party' is composed of leaders from the current party in power AND the opposition? Sounds like another recipe for success! Get ready to hear about how they are struggling to be coalition partners with whichever party looks like it will win the lower house election.
Serrano
Ishihara says he has done all he can for Tokyo. This much is true.
lucabrasi
How long before someone gets stabbed?
Johannes Weber
The US GOP seems to get a rival for the top rank as party with the most useless leaders and the most stupid quotes. Let's hope that no one votes for this bunch of grizzly old fossils - wait this is Japan. Such hope is a waste of energy, since the old generation who does not remember that they, their friends or fathers have done anything bad during the war will certainly offer their generous support.
Michelle Klein-Hass
Ishihara the elder is the Japanese answer to Pete Santorum. Totally, 100% bat guano crazy. And does the name of that new political party, "New Sunrise" give you chills when you think of '30s and '40s era ultra-Nationalism and miliatarism?
Ranger_Miffy2
I'd say Ishihara the extremely elder has done all he can TO Tokyo. Departing is the best thing he could do for Tokyo.
some14some
it will be difficult for him to define "New Sunrise," all he knows is weather will be partly sunny/partly cloudy and occasional shower at some places :)
Scrote
Why don't the olds just join the existing Sunrise party? After all, it has been such a resounding success.