Biography:Taro Yamamoto

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Short description: Japanese politician and former actor
Taro Yamamoto
山本 太郎
Taro Yamamoto 2022-6-26(1)(cropped).jpg
Yamamoto in 2022
Leader of Reiwa Shinsengumi
Assumed office
1 April 2019
Preceded byPosition established
Member of the House of Councillors
Assumed office
25 July 2022
ConstituencyTokyo
In office
21 July 2013 – 21 July 2019
ConstituencyTokyo
Member of the House of Representatives
In office
31 October 2021 – 15 April 2022
Succeeded byMari Kushibuchi
ConstituencyTokyo proportional representation block
Personal details
Born (1974-11-24) 24 November 1974 (age 49)
Takarazuka, Hyōgo, Japan
Political partyReiwa Shinsengumi (2019–present)
Other political
affiliations		Independent (2011–2014)
People's Life Party (2014–2016)
Liberal Party (2016–2019)
OccupationPolitician

Taro Yamamoto (山本 太郎, Yamamoto Tarō, born 24 November 1974) is a Japanese politician and former actor, who is the founder and current leader of the anti-establishment political party Reiwa Shinsengumi. Yamamoto served as a member of the House of Councillors from 2013 to 2019 and was a candidate in the 2020 Tokyo gubernatorial election.

Early life

Yamamoto was born in Takarazuka, Hyogo; his father died shortly after his birth, and he and his two older sisters were raised by their mother, who sold Persian carpets.[1] He said in his speech that when he was called to the principal's office when he was 11 years old and asked about his future dream, he answered, "Prime Minister".[2] Yamamoto began his career as a television personality in 1990, appearing in dramas such as Futarikko (1996–97) and Shinsengumi! (2004). He also appeared in several films, including Battle Royale (2000) and Moon Child (2003).

Political career

Independent (2011–2014)

Yamamoto entered politics after the Fukushima nuclear meltdown in March 2011. He announced that he "would no longer be a silent accomplice of the terrorist nation Japan", and became a protester in the anti-nuclear movement.[3] He resigned from his talent agency some time later in order to focus on activism. Yamamoto, a resident of Tokyo, flew to Saga Prefecture in July and attempted, along with a local citizens' group, to enter the governor's office to protest the restart of a power plant.[1] He chanted phrases such as, "Protect our children!", "We don't need nuclear energy!" and "Come out, Governor!". He did not get an audience with the governor, but said he was glad that he came.[4] The scene was broadcast on television, and the Saga District Public Prosecutors Office considered pressing charges against Yamamoto. Following the incident, in early 2012, Yamamoto led a petition campaign in Tokyo to hold a referendum that would bar Tokyo Electric Power Company from continuing to run nuclear facilities.[1]

He attempted to run for a seat in the House of Representatives during the 2012 general election, but placed second in the Tokyo 8th district and did not win a seat.[5] He then ran an independent campaign (endorsed by the New Socialist Party[6]) to be elected to the House of Councillors in the 2013 election,[7][8][9][10] and was elected on 21 July. He was supported in the election by the People's Life Party, Social Democratic Party and Greens Japan.

On 31 October 2013, Yamamoto handed a political letter to the Emperor Akihito at a non-political garden party. The letter was immediately passed on to the chamberlain. Whether the letter was read by the Emperor is unknown. The letter reportedly contained his complaints about the handling of the nuclear disaster. The Huffington Post reported that the action may have violated the Constitution of Japan, since the Emperor is not allowed to involve himself in political issues.[11] The Japanese Communist Party chairman Kazuo Shii inferred that Yamamoto "didn't understand the Constitution".[12] Various political leaders expressed their anger and disappointment in Yamamoto's alleged abuse of his legislative position,[13] as well as Takeshi Kitano, who called the incident "somewhat of an insult".[14] However, the manga artist Yoshinori Kobayashi supported Yamamoto's actions.[15] On 8 November, Yamamoto received an official reprimand from the Speaker of the House of Councillors, Masaaki Yamazaki. It was also announced that he will be banned from any kind of imperial events during his entire term.

In December 2013, he promised he would mobilize a million people to lay siege to the National Diet in protest of the State Secrecy Law.[16] In the 19th Tokyo gubernatorial election held in February 2014, he didn't support any specific candidate, and called for supporting candidates that oppose nuclear power.[17]

People's Life Party (PLP) (2014–2016)

Yamamoto in July 2016

In the 2014 Japanese general election, the People's Life Party (PLP) lost seats and was in danger of losing its qualification as a political party. After the election, Yamamoto joined the party, and the party name was changed to "People's Life Party & Taro Yamamoto and Friends."[18]

In September 2015, in a vote of security-related bills of the House of Councillors plenary session, he voted while wearing mourning garb and a rosary, and gestured to offer incense to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the Liberal Democratic Party.

Liberal Party (2016–2019)

In October 2016, the People's Life Party was renamed to Liberal Party.

In April 2019, the Liberal Party dissolved and merged into the Democratic Party for the People.

Reiwa Shinsengumi (2019–present)

In April 2019, Yamamoto formed a new party, left-liberal populist Reiwa Shinsengumi.[19] In the first election the party contested, Yamamoto lost his seat in the House of Councillors after switching his electoral district from Tokyo to the party's National PR list, but he led his party to win two seats in the House of Councillors.

In June 2020, Yamamoto announced his candidacy for the 2020 Tokyo gubernatorial election. Yamamoto's campaign included a pledge to cancel the 2020 Summer Olympics and establish a direct cash relief handout program as a part of Tokyo's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[20] Yamamoto came in third place in the election, winning 657,277 votes, or 10.72% of the vote.[21]

At the 2021 general election, Yamamoto won a seat in the House of Representatives running on the Tokyo PR list. Yamamoto resigned his seat in the House of Representatives in April 2022, and announced his intention to increase his party's representation in the House of Councillors. He was replaced in the lower house by Mari Kushibuchi.[22][23]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1996 That's Cunning! Shijō Saidai no Sakusen? Kimura Kenji
1998 Love Letter
1999 Big show! Hawaii ni utaeba
2000 Battle Royale Shogo Kawada
2001 Hashire! Ichiro
2001 Rain of Light
2001 Go Tawake
2001 Genji: A Thousand-Year Love
2002 Through the Night
2003 Moon Child Toshi
2003 Get Up! Taro
2003 The Boat to Heaven
2004 Shinsengumi! Harada Sanosuke
2004 Akai tsuki Makita Shoichi
2004 A Day on the Planet
2004 Izo
2005 Princess Raccoon Ostrich Monk
2005 Under the Same Moon
2009 Kaiji Jōji Funai
2010 Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider OOO & W Featuring Skull: Movie War Core (Skull: Message for Double) Seiichiro Matsui
2011 My Way Noda

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Arita, Eriko (4 March 2012). "Taro Yamamoto: Actor in the spotlight of Japan's antinuke movement". The Japan Times. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2012/03/04/people/actor-in-the-spotlight-of-japans-antinuke-movement. 
  2. ↑ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}". 2023-02-18. https://youtube.com/shorts/FIP8nWRimXo. 
  3. ↑ "東京・高円寺で反原発を訴える大規模デモ、山本太郎も参加" (in ja). Searchina. 2011-04-11. http://news.searchina.ne.jp/disp.cgi?y=2011&d=0411&f=entertainment_0411_002.shtml. 
  4. ↑ "山本太郎 佐賀県庁突入「知事出てこい」" (in ja). Nikkan Sports. 2011-07-12. https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/p-et-tp0-20110712-803766.html. 
  5. ↑ "山本太郎: 東京8区 : プロフィル : 衆院選2012 : 衆院選 : 選挙 : YOMIURI ONLINE（読売新聞）". Yomiuri.co.jp. http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/election/shugiin/2012/profile/ya13008008.htm. 
  6. ↑ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}" (in ja). New Socialist Party of Japan. 2013-07-22. http://www.sinsyakai.or.jp/apper/senkyo/130702.html. 
  7. ↑ (in ja)Daily Sports. 2013-06-14. https://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/gossip/2013/06/14/0006077417.shtml. 
  8. ↑ (in ja)Daily Sports. https://www.daily.co.jp/gossip/2013/07/05/0006131624.shtml. 
  9. ↑ (in ja)Daily Sports. https://www.daily.co.jp/society/politics/2013/07/04/0006129660.shtml. 
  10. ↑ (in ja)Daily Sports. https://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/gossip/2013/07/04/0006129955.shtml. 
  11. ↑ (in ja)The Huffington Post. 2013-10-31. https://www.huffingtonpost.jp/2013/10/31/yamamototaro-letter_n_4180257.html. 
  12. ↑ Fuji News Network. 2013-11-01. http://www.fnn-news.com/news/headlines/articles/CONN00257036.html. 
  13. ↑ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}" (in ja). http://sankei.jp.msn.com/politics/news/131031/stt13103120390009-n1.htm. 
  14. ↑ (in ja)Daily Sports. 2013-11-03. https://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/gossip/2013/11/03/0006468813.shtml. 
  15. ↑ 山本太郎の件で、自民党議員はわしと対決せよ！
  16. ↑ "秘密保護法潰す奇策「デモで国会封鎖」!? 山本太郎が「60年安保の再現」狙う" (in ja). J-cast News. 2013-12-04. https://www.j-cast.com/2013/12/04190844.html. 
  17. ↑ Yamamoto, Taro (2014-01-23). "都知事選どうすんの?!" (in ja-JP). http://ameblo.jp/yamamototaro1124/entry-11756284557.html. 
  18. ↑ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}" (in ja). Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. 2014-12-26. http://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000329768.pdf. 
  19. ↑ "山本太郎氏「れいわ新選組」設立 「この国の人々、お守りいたす」" (in ja). The Sankei News. 10 April 2019. https://www.sankei.com/article/20190410-RMR6JIPY7FM6VENNI5UNVFISA4/. 
  20. ↑ "Reiwa Shinsengumi leader Taro Yamamoto to run for Tokyo governor". The Japan Times. Kyodo News. 15 June 2020. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/06/15/national/politics-diplomacy/reiwa-shinsengumi-leader-taro-yamamoto-tokyo-governor/. 
  21. ↑ "開票速報｜2020都知事選（東京都知事選挙）". The Asahi Shimbun. https://www.asahi.com/senkyo/tochijisen/2020/kaihyo/. 
  22. ↑ "Reiwa Shinsengumi leader quits Lower House to run for Upper House seat". The AU Times. 19 April 2022. https://www.theautimes.com/reiwa-shinsengumi-leader-quits-lower-house-to-run-for-upper-house-seat/. 
  23. ↑ "Leader of Reiwa Shinsengumi quits Lower House to run for Upper House seat". The Japan Times. 15 April 2022. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/04/15/national/taro-yamamoto-quits-lower-house/. 

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