Ryu Matsumoto (松本 龍, Matsumoto Ryū, May 17, 1951 – July 21, 2018) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).

Early life

Matsumoto was a native of Fukuoka, Fukuoka and graduated from Chuo University.

Political career

Matsumoto 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 in command of the Buraku Liberation League. He was vice-chairman Buraku Liberation League when he advocated suppression of free speech.[1]

Controversy

Matsumoto resigned from the post of the Minister of Reconstruction and from the vice-chairmanship of the Buraku Liberation League after making harsh and abrasive criticism of the two governors from the area affected by the Great East Japan earthquake as well as threatening to ruin the career of any journalists who reported his remarks. He later apologised and then blamed his behaviour on his Fukuoka background and also on his B-blood type, a popular superstition in Japan.[2]

Matsumoto's was criticised for his intimidation of journalists when he told them that "Your company is over if you publicize my remarks" as the essence of the liberation alliance. [3][4]

Death

He died of lung cancer on July 21, 2018, at the age of 67.[5]

References

Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Environment
2010–2011
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of State for Disaster Management
2010–2011
Succeeded by
Preceded by 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
1996–2018
Vacant


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