| Sadakazu Tanigaki 谷垣 禎一 |
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| In office September 22, 2003 – September 26, 2006 |
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| Preceded by | Masajuro Shiokawa |
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| Succeeded by | Koji Omi |
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Member of the Japanese House of Representatives for the 5th Kyoto District
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| Assumed office October 20, 1996 |
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| Preceded by | New constituencies |
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| Born | March 7, 1945 Tokyo, Japan |
| Citizenship | Japanese |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Political party | Liberal Democratic Party |
| Alma mater | University of Tokyo |
Sadakazu Tanigaki (谷垣 禎一 Tanigaki Sadakazu, born March 7, 1945) is a Japanese politician who served as Minister of Finance in the cabinet of Junichiro Koizumi. He also served as Minister of Construction and Transport in the cabinet of Yasuo Fukuda and is serving his ninth term as a member of the Lower House, representing Kyoto's Fifth District. He was elected president of the Liberal Democratic Party on September 28th 2009.
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Early life
Tanigaki was born in Fukuchiyama and attended Azabu High School. He graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo in 1974, and worked as a secretary for his father, who was Minister of Education. He went on to pass the Japanese bar examination in 1979, specializing in tax law, and he registered as an attorney in 1982 after completing his legal training.[1]
Political career
Tanigaki was prepared for a legal career after close to ten years of study, but his father, who represented the second district in Kyoto, died in 1983. Tanigaki moved to Kyoto to run for his father's seat.
He briefly headed the Science and Technology Agency in 1997. Under Prime Minister Koizumi, he served in a number of positions, including the Financial Reconstruction Commission, the National Public Safety Commission, and ultimately as Minister of Finance from September 22, 2003 to September 26, 2006. Since 2002, Tanigaki has led a minor faction in the Liberal Democratic Party, formerly part of the Kochikai faction, with 11 members in the lower house and 4 in the upper house.
Tanigaki declared his candidacy for the LDP presidency on July 28, 2006, but came in third place in a three-way race against Shinzo Abe and Tarō Asō. Tanigaki was viewed as the "moderate" candidate in the race, mainly due to his foreign policy views: unlike Abe and Asō, he stated that he would not continue visits to Yasukuni Shrine if he became prime minister, which made him a more attractive candidate among LDP leaders who sought better relations with China and Korea.
On September 24, 2007, Tanigaki was named chief policymaker of the LDP by newly-elected party president Yasuo Fukuda.[2] He was subsequently appointed as Minister of Construction and Transport on August 1, 2008.[3]
On September 28, 2009, he was chosen by his party as LDP leader to replace Former Prime Minister Taro Aso.[4]
On October 19th, 2009, he visited Yasukuni shrine, despite his earlier promise to the contrary.[5]
Personality
Tanigaki sleeps early and arises early. He engages in stretching exercises and goes on long distance bicycle rides on the weekends to relieve stress. Tanigaki also enjoys mountain climbing and wine.[1]
References
- ^ a b Japan Times, "Fukuda's new lineup", August 3, 2008.
- ^ "Fukuda appoints Ibuki as secretary-general, Tanigaki as policy chief", Mainichi Daily News, Sept 24, 2007.
- ^ "Fukuda overhauls Cabinet / LDP executive shakeup also elevates Aso to party No. 2", The Yomiuri Shimbun, August 2, 2008.
- ^ Opposition LDP picks Tanigaki as new leader as it tackles renewal Kyodo News September 28, 2009
- ^ 54 lawmakers visit Yasukuni Shrine, The Japan Times, October 21, 2009
External links
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by Masajuro Shiokawa |
Minister of Finance of Japan 2003 - 2006 |
Succeeded by Koji Omi |
| Preceded by Tetsuzo Fuyushiba |
Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Japan 2008 |
Succeeded by Nariaki Nakayama |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Taro Aso |
President of Liberal Democratic Party 2009-present |
Incumbent |
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