Mr. Tetsuya Iida’s Decision to Run for the Yamaguchi Gubernatorial Election Makes Prime Minister’s Office Hurry-Scurry (Nikkan Gendai: June 11, 2012)

This is quite interesting.  I wonder if a revolution will start from Yamaguchi as was expected.

* Posted by Mr. Takeshita on his blog – June 13, 2012 –

Mr. Tetsuya Iida’s Decision to Run for the Yamaguchi Gubernatorial Election Makes Prime Minister’s Office Hurry-Scurry (Nikkan Gendai: June 11, 2012)

Reprint from “Hibi Tantan” Document Blog

*That Mrs. Akie Abe, the wife of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, also ardent admirer.

We guess that Prime Minister Noda, who has forced through the resumption of operations in the Ooi nuclear power plants against the public opposition, might turn white at the unexpected development.

This is because Mr. Tetsuya Iida, 53, who claims “denuclearization” and “expansion of natural energy”, has decided to run for the Yamaguchi gubernatorial election slated for July 29.

Mr. Iida comes from Yamaguchi Prefecture and graduated from Kyoto University.  He, as a special advisor to Osaka Prefecture and City, advises Toro Hashimoto to implement “denuclearization policy.”  He is a “denuclearization” icon.  It is certain that the gubernatorial election will be like a national referendum asking the residents to vote for “denuclearization” or “promotion of nuclear energy use.”  And yet, he is said to be highly likely to win the election.

Shigetaro Yamamoto, 63, the former government official of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, supported by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Tsutomu Takamura, a member of the Democratic Party, have already announced to run for the election.

“At first, it was anticipated that Shigetaro Yamamoto supported by the LDP would win an overwhelming victory.  Though he is not popular, which is proved by his having lost two consecutive Lower House elections, it was anticipated that he, though unattractive, would be a winner.  Yamaguchi Prefecture is the conservative kingdom.  On top of that, Takamura of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) will lose ground because he announced to run for the election in the teeth of the Yamaguchi Prefectural Worker’s Union.  However, with Mr. Iida’s candidacy for the election, things will turn around.  Yamamoto and Iida will inevitably run a dead heat.”  (Local person involved)

The pros and cons of nuclear power plants will become the issue because there has been a big campaign against the construction of “Kaminoseki nuclear power plants” in Kumage County, Yamaguchi Prefecture, which has been promoted by Chugoku Electric Power Company.

And yet, once an election campaign starts, it is expected that celebrities claiming “denuclearization” across the country will get together.  Surprisingly, Mrs. Akie Abe, the wife of Shinzo Abe elected in Yamaguchi Prefecture, is likely to support Mr. Iida.

“There is no doubt that Mrs. Akie Abe is fascinated with him.  She has frequently written about him in her blog.  She has been to Iwaijima, his constituency, together with him, where he aims to realize the use of natural energy alone.  Ronbu Ju’n, a comedian who comes from Yamaguchi, also gets along with Mr. Iida and gives a lecture together with him.  He clarifies his stance of “denuclearization” by saying “My close friend Taro Yamamoto has been active in the antinuclear power movement.”  Furthermore, it is highly likely that 117 Democratic Party members, who oppose to the resumption of operations in Ooi nuclear power plants, will support Mr. Iida as they please.  If more and more celebrities get to support Mr. Iida, no wonder he will win a landslide victory.”  (Political player)

If Mr. Iida, a “denuclearization” icon, wins a victory, it is inevitable that the pros and cons of the resumption of operations in the Ooi nuclear power plants will be discussed again and Prime Minister DOJO who has forced through the resumption of the operations will run into additional difficulties.