Seiichi Ota
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese politician. As of 2008 he is a member of the House of Representatives
(lower house) currently serving in his eighth term representing Fukuoka's Third District. He is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party
(LDP) in the Koga faction. Kiyoko Fukuda, who married Prime Minister of Japan
Yasuo Fukuda
, is his cousin.
Before entering politics, Ota was an economics professor. He then served as chief of the Management and Coordination Agency.
Ota entered politics in 1980 with the help of his father-in-law, the governor of Fukuoka. He has since been involved mainly in economic policy. Under Noboru Takeshita
in the late 1980s, he advocated the introduction of the consumption tax
. Ota also participated in changes in the Commercial Law in the late 1990s and realignment of government ministries and agencies in 2001. Ota left the LDP in 1994 to form a small party, but returned to the LDP the following year.
Igniting more controversy after the Super Free
rape scandal was revealed, on 26 June 2003 Ota said "At least gang rapists are still vigorous. Isn't that at least a little closer to normal?" This shocked Japan and Mizuho Fukushima
criticized him.
During the debate of terrorism
in January 2008, he claimed that Fukushima was an "ultra-leftist".
On August 1, 2008, Yasuo Fukuda
named Ota as the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
in the cabinet list. However, he resigned the post on September 19, 2008 following a scandal over . He stated: "I met with Prime Minister Fukuda and told him my decision to resign, considering the seriousness of the tainted rice problem for the society." Yasuo Fukuda
accepted the resignation. Ota was informed of the problem in January 2007 but said he saw no need to make "too much of a fuss over it". The rice, tainted with pesticide
methamidophos
and mould, was for industrial uses only, but was resold, used and served to make lunches for thousands of schoolchildren and nursing home patients.
House of Representatives of Japan
The is the lower house of the Diet of Japan. The House of Councillors of Japan is the upper house.The House of Representatives has 480 members, elected for a four-year term. Of these, 180 members are elected from 11 multi-member constituencies by a party-list system of proportional representation,...
(lower house) currently serving in his eighth term representing Fukuoka's Third District. He is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party
Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)
The , frequently abbreviated to LDP or , is a centre-right political party in Japan. It is one of the most consistently successful political parties in the democratic world. The LDP ruled almost continuously for nearly 54 years from its founding in 1955 until its defeat in the 2009 election...
(LDP) in the Koga faction. Kiyoko Fukuda, who married Prime Minister of Japan
Prime Minister of Japan
The is the head of government of Japan. He is appointed by the Emperor of Japan after being designated by the Diet from among its members, and must enjoy the confidence of the House of Representatives to remain in office...
Yasuo Fukuda
Yasuo Fukuda
was the 91st Prime Minister of Japan, serving from 2007 to 2008. He was previously the longest-serving Chief Cabinet Secretary in Japanese history, serving for three and a half years under Prime Ministers Yoshirō Mori and Junichiro Koizumi....
, is his cousin.
Before entering politics, Ota was an economics professor. He then served as chief of the Management and Coordination Agency.
Ota entered politics in 1980 with the help of his father-in-law, the governor of Fukuoka. He has since been involved mainly in economic policy. Under Noboru Takeshita
Noboru Takeshita
was a Japanese politician and the 74th Prime Minister of Japan from November 6, 1987 to June 3, 1989.Takeshita was also the last Prime Minister during the long rule of the Emperor Shōwa.-Early years:...
in the late 1980s, he advocated the introduction of the consumption tax
Consumption tax
A consumption tax is a tax on spending on goods and services. The tax base of such a tax is the money spent on consumption. Consumption taxes are usually indirect, such as a sales tax or a value added tax...
. Ota also participated in changes in the Commercial Law in the late 1990s and realignment of government ministries and agencies in 2001. Ota left the LDP in 1994 to form a small party, but returned to the LDP the following year.
Igniting more controversy after the Super Free
Super Free
or its shortened form was an inter-university rave event club, mainly comprising students of Waseda University, The leader of the club along with various students from Waseda and other universities in Tokyo was arrested and convicted for rape and subsequently, the club was dubbed by several...
rape scandal was revealed, on 26 June 2003 Ota said "At least gang rapists are still vigorous. Isn't that at least a little closer to normal?" This shocked Japan and Mizuho Fukushima
Mizuho Fukushima
is a Japanese politician. She has been a member of the House of Councillors since 1998, was re-elected in 2004 and 2010,and is the current chair of the Social Democratic Party of Japan, a position she has held since 2003....
criticized him.
During the debate of terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
in January 2008, he claimed that Fukushima was an "ultra-leftist".
On August 1, 2008, Yasuo Fukuda
Yasuo Fukuda
was the 91st Prime Minister of Japan, serving from 2007 to 2008. He was previously the longest-serving Chief Cabinet Secretary in Japanese history, serving for three and a half years under Prime Ministers Yoshirō Mori and Junichiro Koizumi....
named Ota as the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Japan)
The , or , is the Cabinet of Japan member in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The current minister is Michihiko Kano.-Role:...
in the cabinet list. However, he resigned the post on September 19, 2008 following a scandal over . He stated: "I met with Prime Minister Fukuda and told him my decision to resign, considering the seriousness of the tainted rice problem for the society." Yasuo Fukuda
Yasuo Fukuda
was the 91st Prime Minister of Japan, serving from 2007 to 2008. He was previously the longest-serving Chief Cabinet Secretary in Japanese history, serving for three and a half years under Prime Ministers Yoshirō Mori and Junichiro Koizumi....
accepted the resignation. Ota was informed of the problem in January 2007 but said he saw no need to make "too much of a fuss over it". The rice, tainted with pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticides are substances or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest.A pesticide may be a chemical unicycle, biological agent , antimicrobial, disinfectant or device used against any pest...
methamidophos
Methamidophos
Methamidophos is an organophosphate insecticide.Crops grown with the use of methamidophos include some Latin American rice. Many nations use methamidophos on crops, including developed nations such as Spain, US, Japan, and Australia...
and mould, was for industrial uses only, but was resold, used and served to make lunches for thousands of schoolchildren and nursing home patients.
External links
- Fury over Japan rape gaffe BBC NewsBBC NewsBBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
Ōta Seiichi Official Web Site