Makiko Tanaka's son won't run in Oct. 27 by-election

Japan Policy & Politics, August 19, 2002

TOKYO, Aug. 12 Kyodo

Yuichiro Tanaka, son of former Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka, will not run in the Oct. 27 by-election in the No. 5 single-seat constituency in Niigata on the Sea of Japan coast, his proxy said Monday.

Yuichiro, a 31-year-old certified public accountant, has no plans to run for office now or in the near future, a lawyer acting on his behalf said in a message sent to news organizations.

The seat was vacated by Tanaka after she resigned from the House of Representatives on Friday in the wake of allegations of improper use of her state-paid secretaries' salaries.

Tanaka has confirmed her son's determination not to get involved in politics, the lawyer said.