Ichirō Matsui

Ichirō Matsui
松井 一郎
Governor of Osaka Prefecture
Incumbent
Assumed office
27 November 2011
Preceded by Tōru Hashimoto
Personal details
Born January 31, 1963
Yao, Osaka, Japan
Political party Japan Restoration Party (National)
Osaka Restoration Association (Local)
Alma mater Fukuoka Institute of Technology

Ichirō Matsui (松井一郎 Matsui Ichirō, born January 31, 1964) is a Japanese politician, the current governor of Osaka prefecture and secretary-general of both the Osaka Restoration Association (ORA) and of the Japan Restoration Association (JRA). He is a close ally of Tōru Hashimoto, who is the current Osaka mayor and president of both the ORA and JRA.

Early career

After he graduated from Fukuoka Institute of Technology in March 1986 he worked for Kinden Corporation, a construction company.[1] He later entered politics, in April 2003 being elected to the Osaka Prefectural Assembly, serving three consecutive terms.[2]

Osaka Restoration Association and Japan Restoration Association

In April 2010 Matsui became the first secretary general of the regional Osaka Restoration Association. In September 2012 he also became the founding secretary-general of the new national party, the Japan Restoration Association.[3]

Election as governor

After Tōru Hashimoto decided to step down as governor of Osaka prefecture to run as mayor of Osaka city in order to further his plans to merge the two entities, Matsui ran as governor to replace him. Matsui was elected to the post in the November 27, 2011 election.[4]

Kyozo Isohi comments

On June 10, 2012 Kyozo Isohi, a homeless and unemployed man recently released from jail, stabbed two passersby to death in Shinsaibashi with a kitchen knife. Isohi told police that "he was frustrated at having no home and no job prospects, and that he didn’t want to live anymore".[5]

Matsui spoke at a press conference, stating that the attacker should have just killed himself instead of harming others.[6][7]

References

  1. Kinden Corporation History Retrieved on October 2, 2012
  2. Think Global Think HK Mr Ichiro Matsui Retrieved on October 2, 2012
  3. Daily Yomiuri Nippon Ishin no Kai officially launched September 30, 2012
  4. Asahi Shimbun Reform candidates sweep double elections in Osaka November 27, 2011 Retrieved on October 2, 2012
  5. Japan Today Stabbing suspect should have killed himself, Osaka governor says June 12, 2012 Retrieved on October 3, 2012
  6. Japan Daily Press June 12, 2012 Retrieved on October 3, 2012
  7. Kansai Scene In remembrance July 2012 Retrieved on October 3, 2012

External links

Preceded by
Tōru Hashimoto
Governor of Osaka Prefecture
November 2011 –
Incumbent