Yujiro: A New Style of Tokyo Politician
Horace C. White, Senior Staff Writer
Tokyo is in need of a strong, new leader who can support a nation headed for a bright future. In the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami disasters, in addition to the worldwide focus on the performance of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) in preventing the spread of radiation, Tokyoites are facing a new country and a new world. Unfortunately, this focus on recent events means the national mood isn’t where it should be regarding the upcoming Tokyo governor’s race on April 10, 2011.
In an effort to help inspire today’s generation of young Tokyo voters to get out to vote on April 10, a new style of Tokyo politician is taking the lead. With a youthful charm, professional stature, and captivating leadership style, Yujiro Taniyama is bridging the gap between generations to create a new face for Tokyo’s future. His campaign slogan, “Yujiro Change Tokyo” says it all.
Yujiro Taniyama was born in Japan in 1973. He attended elementary school in Australia and finished out most of his compulsory education at the International School of Bangkok (ISB). Upon his high school graduation, Taniyama, better referred to by his first name, Yujiro, enrolled in Keio University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in economics. His university alma mater, one of the finest and oldest universities in Japan, has a long history of prominent alumni, including: former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (2001 – 2006); former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto (1996 – 1998); and former Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi (1931-1932).
Yujiro decided to run for the Tokyo governor race to “Change Tokyo” and make the city more powerful and more internationally-focused by tapping into the energy of today’s youthful generation of leaders and thinkers. He believes that the traditional Japanese system has become complacent, and needs to be shaken up with new and strong leadership from the population that will lead Japan through the future.
Yujiro’s vision includes a focus on creating a Tokyo that is proud to be one of the emerging international leaders in social improvement. A 24-hour airport and subway system and reduction of bus fees to 100 yen ($0.85 USD) will do much to stimulate the existing transportation system. Lowering corporate taxes will attract companies to Tokyo from overseas, while an enhanced shopping district in Tokyo and the creation of an “Anime Wood” for worldwide animation lovers will attract international tourists, as well. Additional improvements, such as setting up nursery schools within elementary schools, and a special medical program for children to help decrease the declining national birthrate will pave the way for a stronger tomorrow, and Yujiro’s goals of making the Tokyo government more transparent by utilizing a variety of social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Mixi, etc. will set the tone for effectively disclosing the policies and actions taken by the Tokyo government to Tokyo constituents.
All of these plans are geared toward the average Tokyo family, whether the focus is on improving quality of life or creating a sound economic base for growth throughout the next few decades. And one of the most remarkable ideas that Yujiro will implement if elected Tokyo governor takes things even further.
Yujiro’s “10 Public International Schools” in Tokyo plan will help to modernize Japanese and Tokyoites alike, allowing them to learn more about the history and culture that makes them who they are. A strong sense of pride and ownership in the nation’s future will arise, while simultaneously teaching diverse groups of students throughout Japan and the world how to better cope and communicate with the global challenges of today and tomorrow.
Although granted many prestigious awards throughout his young professional career, Yujiro also won the 2009 U.S. State Department “Democracy Video Challenge” award for his YouTube video entitled “Democracy and Obama City.” For this challenge, Yujiro utilized his creativity and international background to come up with the best multifaceted perspective on democracy.
Adding to his international experiences in Australia and Thailand growing up, Yujiro has been a professional TV host for programs on BBC, ITV, Channel 5 (British), and RTL (Dutch TV). He has interviewed a variety of celebrities, including Leonardo Di Caprio and Matt Damon (both American actors who are beloved in Tokyo and well-known throughout the world). Already, he has a strong platform for reaching young audiences—and he intends to use this platform to create a better future for the whole nation.
Yujiro has also written a non-fiction book entitled, “F.U.C.K (Future with the United Nation’s Challenge and Kiss), I love Japan!,” published by Shufunotomosha Publishing. Although the title is somewhat radical and has a controversial overtone to it, Yujiro’s book is revered by Japanese readers for its deep commitment and love for Japan evident throughout. Like the rest of Yujiro’s plans for Tokyo, the book outlines solutions to both current and future political, economical, societal, and technological problems worldwide with a clarity and simplicity that everyone can relate to.
Because Yujiro is using his trademark first name signature instead of his surname as is the norm in Japan, he is already making an impression on young voters. As the next few days unfold, Yujiro is certain to inspire even more turnout for the upcoming Tokyo governor race, where he sees no potential competitor other than third-time incumbent Gov. Shintaro Ishihara (78).
Incumbent Gov. Ishihara, considered a political heavyweight in Japan, has been Tokyo governor since 1999. Prior to the Tokyo governorship, Ishihara served as a member of the House of Councilors (Upper House), Director-General of the Environment Agency (1976) under former Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda, and Minister of Transport under former Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita. As Tokyo governor, Ishihara is accredited with cutting metropolitan spending projects in order to stabilize Tokyo’s economy. He has also been instrumental in promoting the Odaiba district to make it more of an international and entertainment hub; as well as, made a successful bid for Tokyo to host the 2016 Summer Olympics in which Tokyo came third-place. In addition, Ishihara has done his utmost to protect Tokyo families and firefighters by taking decisive action to provide parents with fresh bottles of water for their infants, during the TEPCO nuclear reactor crisis, and has lodged a formal protest with Prime Minister Naoto Kan to prevent Tokyo firefighters from being punished for refusing to engage in a hours-long water-spraying mission at TEPCO’s damaged Fukushima nuclear facility.
Ishihara, the author of 27 books, and a strong, outspoken politician, has a total of 25 years of experience serving in the Japanese Diet, and has served three consecutive terms as Tokyo governor. Ishihara, running for a fourth consecutive term, believes that the country`s fate is faltering and in crisis due to today’s generation of young Japanese egoists, however.
If today’s young generation of Tokyoites would like to “Change Tokyo” and move away from the labels of egoists; freeters (being unemployed or freelance); parasite singles (young Japanese living comfortably with their family members up until their late 30s); NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training); hikikomori (acute social withdrawal); lost generation; and herbivorous men (girly men), perhaps, now is the time to understand that (although Gov. Ishihara may be a strong and decisive incumbent) a new style of Tokyo politician has emerged.
Please e-mail Horace C. White at whiteh@moderntokyotimes.com.
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