Shōichi Nakagawa

Shōichi Nakagawa
Minister of Finance of Japan
In office September 24, 2008 – February 17, 2009
Preceded by	Bunmei Ibuki
Succeeded by	Kaoru Yosano
Personal details
Born	19 July 1953(1953-07-19) Tokyo, Japan
Died	4 October 2009(2009-10-04) (aged 56) Tokyo, Japan
Nationality	Japanese
Political party	Liberal Democratic Party
Alma mater	University of Tokyo

Shōichi Nakagawa (中川 昭一, Nakagawa Shōichi^?, July 19, 1953 – October 4, 2009) was a Japanese conservative politician in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who served as Minister of Finance from September 24, 2008 to February 17, 2009. He previously held the posts of Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in the cabinet of Junichiro Koizumi. He was regarded as one of Japan's most attractive public figures.^[1] On October 4, 2009, he was found dead in his Tokyo apartment. The cause of his death is yet to be determined; although no suicide note was found, there was also no indication of foul play.^[2]

Political career

Nakagawa was born in Tokyo, Japan and attended Azabu High School, graduated from the law faculty of the University of Tokyo in 1978 and entered the Industrial Bank of Japan. His father, Ichiro Nakagawa, was a prominent Hokkaidō politician who committed suicide in 1983. The younger Nakagawa was elected to the Japanese House of Representatives in the same year.

In 1998, Nakagawa became Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries under Prime Minister Keizō Obuchi, and in 2003, he became Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in the cabinet of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. He served as Agriculture Minister from October 2005 to September 2006, when incoming prime minister Shinzō Abe appointed Nakagawa as chairman of the Policy Research Council of the LDP.

In December 2006, Kyodo News Agency quoted Nakagawa as having said the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were "truly unforgivable on humanitarian grounds" and reported the politician's concerns over the possession of nuclear weapons by North Korea.^[3]

Discussing Market Access of US beef and the Doha Round. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer and Shoichi Nakagawa, Parliamentary Member, Liberal Democratic Party, Japan discuss market access of US beef and the Doha Round., 2 May 2008(2008-05-02)

Nakagawa's views were close to those of Abe. In particular, both support nationalism in history education, a hard-line stance regarding North Korea and constitutional amendments. Abe has made efforts to relink ties with neighbouring China, while Nakagawa officially voiced his concern over the country's growing military expenditure, claiming that, were the situation in Taiwan to deteriorate, Japan would become, by 2020, a Chinese colony.^[4] Despite that most of the mainstream conservative LDP politicians are usually known for their persistent pro-Americanism, Nakagawa was especially known for his pro-Taiwanism, as he was known as one of the most pro-Taiwanese politicians in Japan.^[5]

On January 6, 2007, in an interview with a reporter from the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph, Nakagawa stated "Women have their proper place: they should be womanly ... They have their own abilities and these should be fully exercised, for example in flower arranging, sewing, or cooking. It's not a matter of good or bad, but we need to accept reality that men and women are genetically different". The Daily Telegraph Editorial Information Executive could not confirm the source of this information because of the age of the article.

On May 2, 2008, Nakagawa had a discussion about market access of US beef and the Doha Round with Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer.

In the Cabinet of Prime Minister Taro Aso, appointed on 24 September 2008, Nakagawa was appointed as Minister of Finance and Minister of State in charge of Financial Services.^[6] He was defeated in his constituency in the Japanese general election, 2009.

Contribution to IMF

Shōichi Nakagawa with Timothy F. Geithner, United States Secretary of the Treasury (Rome, February 13, 2009)

October 10, 2008 at G7 Nakagawa proposed in Washington a new emergency International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan program to help emerging and small economies such as Iceland, Brazil, Ukraine and Pakistan. The total size of the loans could be about US$200 billion (about 20 trillion yen) In some newly emerging economies and small and medium European countries, total assets in domestic financial institutions far exceed the national gross domestic products and those governments might be unable to raise necessary funds to help failing financial institutions through measures such as nationalisation. "Nakagawa plan" eased the concerns of small countries and emerging markets and reduced tension in international financial markets.^[7][8][9]

Shōichi Nakagawa with Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn, IMF (Rome, February 14, 2009)

February 14, 2009 Mr Strauss-Kahn said: 'This commitment is the single-largest supplemental financing contribution by an IMF member country ever, and it clearly demonstrates Japan's leadership and continuing commitment to a multilateral approach to global economic and financial challenges.' Strauss-Kahn said he hoped other countries would join Japan in providing support to the 185-nation institution.^[10] Prime Minister Taro Aso told Japan was ready to lend up to $100 billion from our foreign reserves to the IMF if it finds itself with insufficient funds to help emergency economies. Nikkei Business Daily says Selling U.S. government bonds held by Japan to provide cash to the IMF would affect U.S. bond yields so Tokyo may consider lending U.S. government bonds to the IMF as collateral for it to raise funds.

In a communiqué, G-7 ministers committed to acting jointly to support world growth and employment and strengthen the financial sector, while avoiding protectionism. The ministers met as the U.S. Senate voted in favor of a $787 billion economic stimulus plan—clearing the way for it to be signed into law by President Barack Obama. Strauss-Kahn emphasized "The biggest concrete result of this summit is the loan by the Japanese.... I want to thank the Japanese for having led the way.... Now I will continue with the objective of doubling the (IMF) resources," he told reporters. "It is the largest loan ever made in the history of humanity." Loans were made to a number of economies affected by the crisis, including Belarus, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Pakistan, Serbia, and Ukraine. It announced a precautionary loan for El Salvador last month and an IMF team has also been in negotiations with Turkey.^[11][12]

Comfort Women

Japanese Army's Announcement to prohibit illegal and inhumane recruit comfort women in China

In July 1998, Nakagawa expressed his skepticism about the fact that many schools in Japan taught about forced "comfort women" by the Japanese military during the World War II in history textbooks claiming that there was no evidence that the Japanese government and military were directory involved in recruiting or forcing women to work in the brothels.

"We admit that there were comfort women who traveled with the military," Nakagawa said. "Poverty and other issues were behind this development, which is quite tragic and sad. It's a sad fact that similar phenomena existed in other parts of the world, including the U.S." ^[13] Nakagawa had an opposing position to Yōhei Kōno's statement that the Japanese government was directly involved in recruiting and forcing "comfort women" to work in the brothels. In contrast, Japanese Army Announced to prohibit illegal and inhumane recruit comfort women in China(see the figure of Japanese Army's Announcement). He stated in a radio program that he wouldn't acknowledge Kōno's statement while the current Japanese government is concealing what is thought to be the truth. He added that Kōno had a masochistic view of history and that other countries would even fake their pride for their own countries. He suggested the government amend or withdraw Kōno's statement about "comfort women" immediately.

Alcohol controversy

Nakagawa had been known for his extremely heavy drinking since a young age. A Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (Japan) bureaucrat, who was a fellow of Nakagawa's, witnessed Nakagawa drunk frequently, especially before hosting big political conferences.^[14]

During the G7 meeting of finance ministers in Rome on February 14, 2009, where he signed an agreement to lend an extra $100 billion to the IMF that was described as the "largest loan ever made in the history of humanity",^[15] Nakagawa was seen to be slurring his words.^[16] Nakagawa claimed that his drowsiness and slurred speech were the result of taking too much cold medicine before the meeting. In "Who Governs The World", a book published in Feb. 2010 by Takahiko Soejima, he suggest there were more than 3 people involved in this incident. Despite calls for his resignation by opposition parties at the time, Nakagawa did not immediately resign; Prime Minister Taro Aso supported him and called for him to continue his duties as Finance Minister.^[17] However, on February 17 Nakagawa announced that he had chosen to resign, and his resignation was accepted by Prime Minister Aso that evening.^[18]

Death

Shōichi Nakagawa died on October 4, 2009, aged 56 at his home in Tokyo. Japanese media reports said his body was found face down on the bed by his wife, with no external injuries.^{[19][20][21][22][23][24][25]} She alerted ambulance services at approximately 8:30 am.^[26] His death had taken place at least eight hours previously.^[20][27][28] An investigation is underway to determine the cause of death.^[29][30] An autopsy is being planned to determine the cause of death. A will has not been located.^[25][27] Taro Aso, the former Japanese Prime Minister, was rendered speechless by the news: "I am so deeply shocked that I have no words".^[1][31] Hirohisa Fujii, his successor as Finance Minister, also commented: "I want to express my heartfelt condolences. He was doing a fine job as a finance minister, so it is regrettable".^[32] The Sydney Morning Herald said his death had "sent a shock wave throughout the nation".^[28]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Japan: Nakagawa found". iafrica. 2009-10-04. http://news.iafrica.com/worldnews/1961746.htm. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 
2. ^ "Disgraced ex-minister found dead". The Standard. October 5, 2009. http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=17&art_id=88700&sid=25596416&con_type=3. Retrieved October 6, 2009. 
3. ^ "Dead Link". Mainichi Daily News. December 18, 2006. http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/national/news/20061218p2a00m0na027000c.html. 
4. ^ [1] Yahoo! World News, February 26, 2007
5. ^ 台湾メディアが現政権『風前のともしび』 (Japanese) 2009-02-17 Nikkan Sports
6. ^ "Aso elected premier / Announces Cabinet lineup himself; poll likely on Nov. 2" The Yomiuri Shimbun, September 25, 2008
7. ^ "Japan seeks emergency IMF loan programme to stabilise markets". The Daily Star. http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=58363. 
8. ^ Kageyama, Yuri (2008-11-12). "Report:Japan to offer $105 bln for IMF bailouts". The USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-11-12-3482739616_x.htm. 
9. ^ "The Japanese want the International Monetary Fund to start in Iceland". IceNews. http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2008/10/10/the-japanese-want-imf-to-start-in-iceland. 
10. ^ "Japan, IMF signs $150b pact". asiaone. http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Business/Story/A1Story20090214-121892.html. 
11. ^ "IMF Signs $100 Billion Borrowing Agreement With Japan". IMF. http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/survey/so/2009/NEW021309A.htm. 
12. ^ "Thailand, Japan reach basic accord on FTA (Kyodo News)". IMF. http://www.mfa.go.th/jtepa/en/archives/news_1111.html. 
13. ^ "Comfort Women". Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a83s3dPN3tR8. 
14. ^ ヤマ場になると飲まずにいられない…中川氏、失態いろいろ(Japanese) 2009-02-18 Yomiuri Shimbun
15. ^ IMF Survey: IMF Gains New Funding, Puts Focus on Bank Clean Up IMF
16. ^ "Japanese finance minister denies he was drunk at G-7" International Herald Tribune, February 16, 2009]
17. ^ "Nakagawa Says He Won't Resign After Meeting Aso (Update2)" Bloomberg.com, February 16, 2009
18. ^ "Japan finance minister steps down", BBC News, February 17, 2009
19. ^ BBC NEWS Asia-Pacific Japanese ex-minister found dead
20. ^ ^{a b} "Ex-minister found dead". The Straits Times. 2009-10-05. http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_438225.html. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 
21. ^ "Ex-Japanese finance minister suicide unlikely - police". RIA Novosti. 2009-10-04. http://en.rian.ru/world/20091004/156348107.html. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 
22. ^ "Disgraced former finance minister found dead". France 24. 2009-10-04. http://www.france24.com/en/20091004-japan-disgraced-former-finance-minister-found-dead-tokyo-g7-drunk-shoichi-nakagawa. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 
23. ^ "Disgraced Japanese minister found dead in bedroom". ABC News (Australia). 2009-10-04. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/04/2704364.htm?section=world. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 
24. ^ "Mystery surrounds Nakagawa death". Euronews. 2009-10-04. http://www.euronews.net/2009/10/04/mystery-surrounds-nakagawa-death/. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 
25. ^ ^{a b} "Controversial former Japanese finance minister found dead". CNN. 2009-10-04. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/03/Japan.nakagawa.dead/index.html?iref=mpstoryview. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 
26. ^ "Japan's ex-Finance Minister found dead". Press Trust of India. 2009-10-04. http://www.ptinews.com/news/313001_Japan-s-ex-Finance-Minister-found-dead. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 
27. ^ ^{a b} "Former minister found dead in Japan". Al Jazeera. 2009-10-04. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2009/10/20091043375284638.html. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 
28. ^ ^{a b} "Japan's ex-finance minister Nakagawa found dead: police". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2009-10-05. http://www.smh.com.au/world/japans-exfinance-minister-nakagawa-found-dead-police-20091004-ghxp.html. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 
29. ^ Former Japanese finance minister found dead, The Washington Post
30. ^ "Former Japan Minister dies". The New Zealand Herald. 2009-10-05. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10601257. Retrieved 2009-10-05. ^{[dead link]}
31. ^ David McNeill (2009-10-05). "Shamed Japanese ex-minister found dead". London: The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/shamed-japanese--exminister-found-dead-1797772.html. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 
32. ^ Justin McCurry (2009-10-04). "Former Japanese finance minister found dead". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/04/japanese-finance-minister-dead. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 

External links

• Shoichi Nakagawa's Profile

Political offices
Preceded by Bunmei Ibuki	Minister of Finance of Japan 2008–2009	Succeeded by Kaoru Yosano
Preceded by Toshimitsu Motegi	Minister of State for Financial Services of Japan 2008–2009	Succeeded by Kaoru Yosano
Preceded by Mineichi Iwanaga	Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan 2005–2006	Succeeded by Toshikatsu Matsuoka
Preceded by Takeo Hiranuma	Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan 2003–2005	Succeeded by Toshihiro Nikai
Preceded by Yoshinobu Shimamura	Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan 1998–1999	Succeeded by Tokuichiro Tamazawa

Persondata
Name	Nakagawa, Shōichi
Alternative names
Short description	Minister of Finance of Japan
Date of birth	1953-07-19
Place of birth	Tokyo, Japan
Date of death	2009-10-04
Place of death	Tokyo, Japan