107 lawmakers from 4 parties join group on decentralization

107 lawmakers from 4 parties join group on decentralization

TOKYO, Japan - Masayasu Kitagawa (2nd from R), a former governor of Mie Prefecture, who heads a group consisting of the governors of 13 prefectures, municipal chiefs and experts, speaks during a joint meeting with a multiparty group of 107 lawmakers from four parties, including both ruling and opposition parties, at a Tokyo hotel on March 3. The two groups aim to promote decentralization.

Mie Gov. Kitagawa won't seek reelection

Mie Gov. Kitagawa won't seek reelection

TSU, Japan - Mie Gov. Masayasu Kitagawa speaks at a press conference in the prefectural government office in Tsu on Nov. 25 about his intention not to seek a third four-year term next spring. Kitagawa is the first governor in Japan to introduce an administrative assessment system.

Nissan's Ghosn chosen as one of six 'most ideal fathers'

Nissan's Ghosn chosen as one of six 'most ideal fathers'

TOKYO, Japan - Nissan Motor Co. President Carlos Ghosn (2nd from R), a father of four, was one of six men chosen as ''most ideal fathers'' in a contest in Tokyo on June 5 ahead of Father's Day on June 17. Japan Men's Fashion Unity also gave the 20th Yellow Ribbon Award to (from L to R) Yasuhiko Okudera, a former pro soccer player and current Yokohama athletic club head, actor Naoki Hosaka, Yoshiharu Habu, a master of ''shogi'' Japanese chess, Heizo Takenaka, minister in charge of economic and fiscal policy, and Mie Gov. Masayasu Kitagawa (R).

107 lawmakers from 4 parties join group on decentralization

107 lawmakers from 4 parties join group on decentralization

TOKYO, Japan - Masayasu Kitagawa (2nd from R), a former governor of Mie Prefecture, who heads a group consisting of the governors of 13 prefectures, municipal chiefs and experts, speaks during a joint meeting with a multiparty group of 107 lawmakers from four parties, including both ruling and opposition parties, at a Tokyo hotel on March 3. The two groups aim to promote decentralization. (Kyodo)

Mie Gov. Kitagawa won't seek reelection

Mie Gov. Kitagawa won't seek reelection

TSU, Japan - Mie Gov. Masayasu Kitagawa speaks at a press conference in the prefectural government office in Tsu on Nov. 25 about his intention not to seek a third four-year term next spring. Kitagawa is the first governor in Japan to introduce an administrative assessment system. (Kyodo)

Nissan's Ghosn chosen as one of six 'most ideal fathers'

Nissan's Ghosn chosen as one of six 'most ideal fathers'

TOKYO, Japan - Nissan Motor Co. President Carlos Ghosn (2nd from R), a father of four, was one of six men chosen as ''most ideal fathers'' in a contest in Tokyo on June 5 ahead of Father's Day on June 17. Japan Men's Fashion Unity also gave the 20th Yellow Ribbon Award to (from L to R) Yasuhiko Okudera, a former pro soccer player and current Yokohama athletic club head, actor Naoki Hosaka, Yoshiharu Habu, a master of ''shogi'' Japanese chess, Heizo Takenaka, minister in charge of economic and fiscal policy, and Mie Gov. Masayasu Kitagawa (R).

Mie governor crushes nuclear plant project

Mie governor crushes nuclear plant project

TSU, Japan - Mie Gov. Masayasu Kitagawa announces Feb. 22 that construction plans for a nuclear plant in his prefecture should go back to the drawing board. Kitagawa made the statement at a prefectural assembly meeting, referring to a Chubu Electric Power Co. project. Chubu Electric Power later said it will drop the project to build the Ashihama nuclear plant between the towns of Nanto and Kisei due to opposition from the local people.