Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

Ex-Japan premier in China

BEIJING, China - Former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama (front L), former Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan (front C) and Koichi Kato (front R), former secretary general of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, attend a photo session in Beijing on Jan. 28, 2013. (Pool photo)

E

Ex-Japan premier in China

BEIJING, China - A Japanese delegation including former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama (R) and Koichi Kato (2nd from R), former secretary general of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, hold talks with former Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan (L) in Beijing on Jan. 28, 2013. (Pool photo)

E

Edano takes part in online discussion on TPP

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese trade minister Yukio Edano (2nd from L) takes part in the government's first online open discussion on the issue of whether Japan should join negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact, with Koichi Kato (2nd from R), chairman of the joint association of Seikatsu Club consumers' cooperatives, and others at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Tokyo on Nov. 2, 2011.

E

LDP lawmakers seek meeting of Diet members from both houses

TOKYO, Japan - Former secretaries general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party -- (from L to R) Koichi Kato, Hidenao Nakagawa and Tsutomu Takebe -- hold a press conference at the LDP's headquarters in Tokyo on July 16 after submitting 133 signatures from party legislators urging the LDP leadership to hold a meeting of a key decision-making panel within this week.

E

S. Korea's Lee meets with Japanese politicians' group

SEOUL, South Korea - South Korean President-elect Lee Myung Bak (C) meets with a group of Japanese politicians in Seoul on Feb. 11. At left is Koichi Kato, former Liberal Democratic Party secretary general, and at right Taku Yamasaki, former LDP vice president. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

E

Chinese Vice Premier Huang Ju dies of illness: Xinhua

BEIJING, China - Chinese Vice Premier Huang Ju (R) and former Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Koichi Kato (L) pose for a photo prior to their talks in Beijing in a photo taken in June 2005. Xinhua news agency reported Huan died of an illness in Beijing on June 2, aged 68.

E

Ex-Koizumi associate concerned Yasukuni may cloud Japan-U.S. ties

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Kato, a one-time political associate of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, speaks at a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo on Aug. 29. Kato voiced concern that the issue of Japanese leaders' visits to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine could chill Japan-U.S. ties after the premier leaves office in September.

E

Koichi Kato, victim of arson, warns of 'dangerous' nationalism

TOKYO, Japan - Veteran lawmaker Koichi Kato suggested in an interview with Kyodo News on Aug. 18 that signs of ''dangerous'' nationalism are increasing in Japan, referring to the arson attack on one of his houses on Aug. 15 following his criticism of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to Yasukuni Shrine.

E

Police begin probing fire at LDP lawmaker Kato's local premises

TSURUOKA, Japan - Former Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Koichi Kato speaks with reporters outside the gutted house of his mother in the city of Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, on Aug. 16. A fire the previous day completely destroyed the house. Police suspect arson as Kato's mother, Onobu, 97, said she was not using any fire at her house.

E

Police begin probing fire at LDP lawmaker Kato's local premises

TSURUOKA, Japan - Police officers and firefighters investigate the gutted house of former Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Koichi Kato's mother in the city of Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, and the adjacent building used as his local office on Aug. 16. A fire the previous day completely destroyed both buildings.

E

Koizumi says he never said Samawah was safe

TOKYO, Japan - (From L to R) Senior Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers Koichi Kato, Makoto Koga and Shizuka Kamei speak to reporters following their meeting with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at his office on Nov. 9. They quoted Koizumi as saying he never said the southern Iraqi city of Samawah, where Japanese troops are operating, was safe.

E

(2)Lower house OKs SDF dispatch

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Kato, former secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is surrounded by reporters in the Diet building early Jan. 31 after refusing to follow the LDP policy to vote in favor of the dispatch of Self-Defense Forces (SDF) noncombat troops to Iraq.

E

(2)Special Diet session convened following election

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Kato, former secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, climbs the stairs at the Diet building in Tokyo Nov. 19 to attend a special legislative session. Kato, who quit the House of Representatives last year following a money scandal involving a top aide, made a comeback in the Nov. 9 lower house election.

E

Ex-Koizumi ally Koichi Kato headed for win

TSURUOKA, Japan - Koichi Kato (R), a former Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secretary general, rejoices Nov. 9 in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, with his wife Aiko as he appears on track to make a political comeback in the House of Representatives election the same day.

E

Kato to run in lower house election

TSURUOKA, Japan - Former Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Koichi Kato tells a New Year's party for local supporters in his electoral constituency of Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, on Jan. 11 that he will run in the next House of Representatives election. Kato resigned from the Diet in April last year to take responsibility for a money scandal involving a former aide.

E

One-time premier aspirant Kato testifies in Diet

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Kato, former secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and one-time aspirant to become prime minister, testifies at a House of Representatives Budget Committee session April 8. He was summoned to testify as an unsworn witness over various allegations involving his political funds.

E

Scandal-hit lawmaker Kato vows to give up Diet seat

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Kato, former secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), testifies as an unsworn witness at the House of Representatives' Budget Committee on April 8 over allegations of tax evasion by his former top aide and his misuse of political funds. Kato said he will resign as a lower house member to take responsibility for the scandal.

E

Kato rules out resignation

TOKYO, Japan - Former ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) heavyweight Koichi Kato answers media questions at his office in Tokyo's Kasumigaseki on March 29. Kato ruled out the possibility he will quit the legislature in the near future and expressed his intention to address allegations of misuse of political funds.

E

Calls growing for Kato's resignation

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Kato, a former Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker, speaks to reporters in front of his office in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on March 28 about reports that about 90 million yen was transferred into his personal bank account from a political fund-managing body run by Saburo Sato, his former aide, who was arrested on suspicion of evading 104 million yen in taxes.

E

(2)Kato quitting LDP over arrest of former aide

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Kato, a former secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), expresses remorse as he announces his resignation from the party at a press conference at the LDP's headquarters in Tokyo on March 18.

E

(1)Kato quitting LDP over arrest of former aide

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Kato, a former secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), speaks at a press conference at the LDP's headquarters in Tokyo on March 18 about his resignation from the party over the arrest of one of his former senior aides on suspicion of tax evasion.

E

Kato says will leave LDP, quit as faction chief

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Kato, former secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is surrounded by reporters in front of his home in Tokyo's Minato Ward on March 18. Kato said he will leave the LDP to take responsibility for a tax-evasion scandal involving his former senior aide.

E

Kato to leave LDP, rules out quitting as lawmaker

TSURUOKA, Japan - Veteran lawmaker Koichi Kato tells reporters in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, on March 16 that he would not give up his Diet seat while reiterating his intention to leave the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) over the arrest of his former aide on suspicion of tax evasion.

E

Kato talking with local supporters about quitting LDP

YAMAGATA, Japan - Koichi Kato, former secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is surrounded by reporters and camera crews at Shonai Airport in Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture, on March 15 after arriving there to meet his supporters in his constituency. Kato is reportedly considering quitting the LDP over the tax evasion scandal of his former aide.

E

Kato speaks with the media

TOKYO, Japan - Former Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Koichi Kato speaks with the media at his office in Tokyo on March 8 on the arrest earlier in the of his former aide on suspicion of tax evasion.

E

Ex-aide to LDP's Kato arrested in tax evasion case

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Kato, former secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is surrounded by reporters as he leaves his home in Tokyo on March 8 following the arrest of a former aide on suspicion of tax evasion. Saburo Sato was arrested by prosecutors on suspicion of evading 104 million yen in tax by concealing 277 million yen in income in the three years through 2000.

E

Kato may quit as chief of LDP faction over scandal

TOKYO, Japan - Former Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Koichi Kato walks into his office in Tokyo's Kasumigaseki on March 7. Kato has signaled his readiness to resign as head of his LDP faction if his onetime secretary is arrested in a tax evasion case.

E

Kato apologizes to supporters for secretary's tax scandal

YAMAGATA, Japan - Former Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Koichi Kato on Jan. 12 apologized to local supporters in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, over a tax evasion scandal involving his senior secretary Saburo Sato.

E

Special Diet panel meets in weekend session

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Kato (R), chairman of the House of Representatives special session on antiterrorism bills, listens to Naoto Kan, secretary general of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan during a break Oct. 13. It is the first time in six years that a lower house committee has met.

E

Kato urges Koizummi to move up date of shrine visit

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Kato, former secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, speaks to reporters following his three-hour meeting with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi late Aug. 11. Kato said he asked Koizumi to move up the date of his planned visit to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine.

E

Koizumi forms ''YKK trio''

TOKYO, Japan - Junichiro Koizumi speaks at a news conference in May 1994 after forming a political alliance ''Group New Century'' with Koichi Kato (C) and Taku Yamasaki (R). The three have since been known as the ''YKK trio'' that stands for the initials of their family names.

E

Kato meets press after no-confidence motion

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Kato, former secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), speaks to reporters at his faction office in Tokyo on March 5 after boycotting a plenary session of the House of Representatives. The lower house voted down a no-confidence motion against the cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori by a majority vote by the ruling coalition parties. Kato staged a failed revolt against Mori in November.

E

Kato indicates Mori should announce resignation before motion

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Kato, former secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), speaks to reporters in Tokyo's Kasumigseki on March 2. He indicated Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori should announce his resignation before the opposition camp presents a no-confidence motion against his cabinet March 5.

E

14 attend 1st Kato faction meeting after breakup

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Kato (standing), former secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), addresses a meeting of his faction in Tokyo on Feb. 1. Fourteen LDP members attended the meeting, a day after 42 members defected and launched a new faction headed by former trade minister Mitsuo Horiuchi.

E

Horiuchi launches new LDP faction

TOKYO, Japan - Mitsuo Horiuchi (C), a former trade and industry minister, along with former Health and Welfare Minister Yuya Niwa (L) and former Foreign Minister Yukihiko Ikeda (R), attends a news conference at the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's headquarters in Tokyo's Nagatacho on Jan. 31 after launching a new LDP faction, a move marking the formal split of Kochikai, the second largest intraparty power group headed by former LDP Secretary General Koichi Kato.

E

LDP to expel Kato if he supports no-confidence motion

TOKYO, Japan - Ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Hiromu Nonaka tells a press conference in downtown Tokyo LDP headquarters on Nov. 19 that LDP executives decided to expel Koichi Kato and Taku Yamasaki from the party if they do not change their minds about supporting a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori. 'The LDP plans to vote down the motion. If they cannot abide by that policy, they will be expelled.'

E

LDP Kato's faction members discuss no-confidence motion

TOKYO, Japan - Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Diet members belonging to the faction headed by ex-LDP Secretary General Koichi Kato (C) meet to discuss a planned no-confidence motion against the cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori. Kato expressed his intention to vote for the motion to be submitted by the opposition camp to the Diet on Monday in a bid to oust Mori from the premiership.

E

LDP's Kato surrounded by reporters out front of his home

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Kato, a ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) heavyweight, is surrounded by reporters out front of his home in Tokyo's Minato Ward in the morning on Nov. 18. Kato reiterated he will vote for a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's cabinet expected to be submitted to the Diet by opposition parties Nov. 20. Kato is a former LDP secretary general who heads the LDP's second largest faction.

E

Kato to vote for no-confidence motion against Mori

TOKYO, Japan - Senior ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) member Koichi Kato sends an OK signal to his colleague during a House of Representatives plenary session Nov. 17. Kato said earlier in the day he will vote in favor of a planned no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.

E

LDP heavyweights in Diet session

TOKYO, Japan - (From L to R, background) Koichi Kato, former secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Junichiro Koizumi, head of an LDP faction led by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, and Kanezo Muraoka, acting leader of the biggest LDP power bloc led by former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, are seated in their House of Representatives seats during a plenary session Nov. 16.

E

Kato addresses his faction members

TOKYO, Japan - With the Diet building behind him, former Liberal Democratic Party secretary general Koichi Kato addresses a gathering of his faction members Nov. 16.

E

Kato beams on photographers

TOKYO, Japan - Former Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Koichi Kato, who set off an LDP power struggle last week by saying he might vote for a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, beams on photographers as he leaves his Tokyo office Nov. 15.

E

LDP's Kato explains actions in interview with Kyodo News

TOKYO, Japan - Prime ministerial aspirant Koichi Kato speaks about his course of action in an interview with Kyodo News on Nov. 14. During the session, Kato said he is confident of scoring a last-minute victory in an ongoing power struggle within at the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

E

LDP to join coalition partners to fight Kato rebellion

TOKYO, Japan - Hiromu Nonaka (C), secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and senior party members meet in Tokyo on Nov. 14 to reconfirm the party will join its two other coalition partners to fight a possible no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori. LDP heavyweight Koichi Kato said earlier that if the opposition were to submit a no-confidence motion to the Diet, he may skip the related Diet sessions, effectively giving support to the motion.

E

Mori, Nonaka, Kamei in huddle

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori (R) huddles with two top senior officials of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the Diet on Nov. 13 to discuss how to respond to LDP heavyweight Koichi Kato's demands for Mori's resignation. Mori chats with LDP Secretary General Hiromu Nonaka (C) and LDP policy chief Shizuka Kamei.

E

LDP's Kato attends faction meeting

TOKYO, Japan - Prime ministerial aspirant Koichi Kato (L) attends a meeting Nov. 13 of senior members of his faction, the second largest in Japan's governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Besides Kato is Noboru Harada, Kato's chief of staff. Kato, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister and LDP President Yoshiro Mori, has indicated he may support an opposition no-confidence motion against Mori rather than merely abstain from a vote on it.

E

LDP's Kato visits Finance Minister Miyazawa

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Kato, a ruling Liberal Democratic Party senior member demanding that Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori steps down, answers reporters' questions Nov. 12 after visiting the Tokyo home of Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa. Miyazawa, who formerly headed Kato's faction, advised Kato to exercise self-restraint.

E

LDP factions favoring Mori agree to keep supporting cabinet

TOKYO, Japan - Junichiro Koizumi (far L), chairman of a Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) faction led by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, Ryutaro Hashimoto (2nd from L), who heads his LDP faction, and three other leaders of LDP factions in favor of Prime Minister Mori's administration hold talks at a Tokyo hotel on the night of Nov. 11. The meeting followed LDP heavyweight Koichi Kato's intensified calls for Mori to resign. The leader confirmed they will continue supporting the Mori government.

E

LDP's Nonaka, Aoki discuss ways to deal with Kato

KYOTO, Japan - Hiromu Nonaka (R), secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), discuss with former Chief Cabinet Secretary Mikio Aoki how to deal with confusion within the LDP at a Kyoto hotel on Nov. 11, a day after party heavyweight Koichi Kato intensified his pressure on embattled Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori by saying he has no plans to defend Mori in the event of a no-confidence motion.

E

LDP's Kato reiterates plan to skip Diet sessions

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows Liberal Democratic Party's heavyweight Koichi Kato leaving his office in Tokyo's Kasumigaseki district on Nov. 11. He reiterated earlier in the day his plan to skip related Diet sessions should the opposition submit a no-confidence motion against the cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and the Diet act on it.