Toshinao Nakagawa (中川 俊直, Nakagawa Toshinao) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party. The scion of an elite political family, Nakagawa resigned in April 2017 following reports of an extramarital affair.[1]
Toshinao Nakagawa | |
|---|---|
中川 俊直 | |
 | |
| Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry | |
| In office 5 August 2016 – 18 April 2017 | |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 16 December 2012 – 28 September 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Seiki Soramoto |
| Succeeded by | Masayoshi Shintani |
| Constituency | Hiroshima 4th district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 April 1970 Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations | Liberal Democratic Party (2012-2017) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent | Hidenao Nakagawa(father) |
| Alma mater | Nihon University Waseda University |
Early career
editNakagawa had previously worked as a journalist for TV Tokyo and as a secretary for his father, Hidenao Nakagawa.[2]
Political career
editNakagawa represented a constituency in Hiroshima (Hiroshima No. 4).[2][3] Nakagawa was parliamentary Vice Minister of the Economy, Trade and Industry.[4][3] He was replaced by Masaki Ogushi following his resignation.[2]
Affair and resignation
editNakagawa resigned following allegations printed in the Shukan Shincho that he had a mistress, who in turn broke up with him when she learned that he was in a relationship with another Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker, Megumi Maekawa.[1] One of his affairs reportedly culminated in a fake wedding ceremony in Hawaii.[5] He submitted a notice of resignation from the LDP on April 21, and apologized for his conduct in a Facebook post.[3][2]
Around July 13, Nakagawa announced that he was hosting a fundraiser entitled "Toshinao Nakagawa’s Apology and Comeback Event", with the aim of relaunching his political career.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b Osaki, Tomohiro (April 21, 2017). "Lawmaker Nakagawa resigns from LDP over extramarital affair". The Japan Times. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Vice Trade Minister Nakagawa resigns, admits to extramarital affair on Facebook". Mainichi Shimbun. April 19, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ a b c "LDP boots out scandal-tainted former economy vice minister". Asahi Shimbun. April 21, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ O'Brien, Rosalba; de la Jara, Antonio (March 14, 2017). Grebler, Dan (ed.). "As ministers meet on scrapped Pacific trade deal, decisions elusive". Reuters.
Chile's Foreign Minister Heraldo Munoz (L) shakes hands with Japan's State Cabinet Office Minister Takao Ochi (C) and Japan's Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshinao Nakagawa during a meeting of the 'Alianza del Pacifico' (Pacific Alliance) in Vina del Mar, Chile March 14, 2017.
- ^ Nakano, Kenji (June 22, 2017). "Disgraced lawmaker Toshinao Nakagawa shown at Ginza SM bar: report". Tokyo Reporter. Archived from the original on June 23, 2017.
In 2011, Nakagawa entered into a relationship with a woman he met while employed at a broadcaster. According to the report, again Shincho (Apr. 27), their tryst culminated with a fake wedding ceremony in Hawaii in September of 2013. That report came on the heels of the March 24 issue of weekly tabloid Friday, which outlined an illicit meeting between Nakagawa and LDP politician Megumi Maekawa.
- ^ "Disgraced lawmaker Toshinao Nakagawa to have comeback event". Tokyo Reporter. July 14, 2017. Archived from the original on July 14, 2017.
A political fundraiser titled "Toshinao Nakagawa's Apology and Comeback Event" will be held at a hotel in the capital on August 23. "There are no excuses for my lack of virtue and thoughlessness," reads the invitation. "The past cannot be changed, but in the future I can change myself."