Ryu Matsumoto (松本 龍 Matsumoto Ryū, born May 17, 1951) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Fukuoka, Fukuoka and graduate of Chuo University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1990 as a member of the Japan Socialist Party. He followed in the steps of his grandfather (Jiichirō Matsumoto) and father at the command of the Buraku Liberation League.[1]
He resigned from the post of the Minister of Reconstruction after making harsh and abrasive criticism of the two governors from the area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake as well as treatening to ruin the career of any journalists who reported his remarks. He later apologised and then blamed his behaviour to his Fukuoka background which is well know for frankness and also to his B-blood type, a popular superstition in Japan.[2]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sakihito Ozawa |
Minister of Environment 2010–2011 |
Succeeded by Satsuki Eda |
| Preceded by Hiroshi Nakai |
Minister of State for Disaster Management 2010–2011 |
Succeeded by Tatsuo Hirano |
| Preceded by Taku Yamasaki Yanosuke Narazaki Seiichi Ōta Takenori Kanzaki Tadashi Kawano |
Representative for Fukuoka's 1st district (multi-member) 1990–1996 Served alongside: Taku Yamasaki, Hirotarō Yamasaki, Takenori Kanzaki, Seiichi Ōta, Yanosuke Narazaki |
District eliminated |
| New district | Representative for Fukuoka's 1st district 1996–present |
Incumbent |