Masaaki Yamazaki (山崎 正昭, Yamazaki Masaaki, born May 24, 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as President of the House of Councillors from 2013 to 2016. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he has served as a member of the House of Councillors in the National Diet since 1992.
Masaaki Yamazaki | |
|---|---|
山崎 正昭 | |
 | |
| President of the House of Councillors | |
| In office 2 August 2013 – 25 July 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Kenji Hirata |
| Succeeded by | Chūichi Date |
| Vice President of the House of Councillors | |
| In office 26 December 2012 – 2 August 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Hidehisa Otsuji |
| Succeeded by | Azuma Koshiishi |
| Member of House of Councillors | |
| Assumed office 26 July 1992 | |
| Constituency | Fukui at-large |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 May 1942 Ōno, Fukui, Japan |
| Alma mater | Nihon University |
Overview
edit
A native of Nishitani-mura in Ōno, Fukui, Yamazaki graduated the Nihon University School of Law.
He served in the city assembly of Ōno for one term since 1975 and then in the assembly of Fukui Prefecture for four terms since 1979. He was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1992.
Yamazaki also served as Parliamentary Secretary for Finance (Hashimoto Cabinet), Deputy Secretary-General of LDP, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Koizumi Cabinet), Secretary-General for the LDP in the House of Councillors.[1]
Toshiaki Yamazaki is his eldest son.
Ideology
editOn April 21, 2014 Yamazaki sent a ritual offering to Yasukuni Shrine, with a wooden sign showing "President of the House of Councillors Masaaki Yamazaki" next to the one with "Prime Minister Shinzō Abe".[2]
Like Abe, Yamazaki is in favor of the revision of the constitution.[3]
Both Yamazaki and Abe are affiliated to the openly revisionist lobby Nippon Kaigi, which supports visits and tributes to this controversial shrine, and a restoration of monarchy and militarism.[4]
Yamazaki is a member of the following right-wing Diet groups:
- Nippon Kaigi Diet discussion group (日本会議国会議員懇談会 - Nippon kaigi kokkai giin kondankai)
- Diet Celebration League of the 20th Anniversary of His Majesty The Emperor's Accession to the Throne (天皇陛下御即位二十年奉祝国会議員連盟)
- Conference of parliamentarians on the Shinto Association of Spiritual Leadership (神道政治連盟国会議員懇談会 - Shinto Seiji Renmei Kokkai Giin Kondankai) - NB: SAS a.k.a. Sinseiren, Shinto Political League
Honours
edit
Netherlands: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau (29 October 2014)[5]
References
edit- ^ Yamazaki Masaaki profile on LDP website: jimin.jp/english/profile/members/114804.html (retrieved Dec 11, 2014)
- ^ "Yasukuni Shrine visits face strong criticism in Japan" - China Daily - April 24, 2014
- ^ 毎日新聞2010年参院選アンケート
- ^ Nippon Kaigi website
- ^ Decoraties Staatsbezoeken Japan en Republiek Korea Archived 2014-11-04 at the Wayback Machine - website of the Dutch Royal House
- 政治家情報 〜山崎 正昭〜. www.senkyo.janjan.jp (in Japanese). JANJAN. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
External links
edit- Official website in Japanese.