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Watanabe retained for breaking resistance against amakudari control

TOKYO, Japan - Yoshimi Watanabe, who was retained as administrative reform minister in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's reshuffled Cabinet, speaks at a press conference on Aug. 27. Watanabe broke bureaucrats' resistance and pushed through legislation against the practice of ''amakudari'' in which bureaucrats take postretirement jobs at entities related to the sectors they oversaw.

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Prosecutors question ex-Your Party head Watanabe over funds scandal

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows Yoshimi Watanabe, former head of the now-defunct opposition Your Party. Prosecutors have questioned Watanabe over an alleged violation of the political funds control law involving his political group, sources close to the matter said Dec. 19, 2014.

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Ex-Your Party chief Watanabe loses election

NASUSHIOBARA, Japan - Former Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe, an independent candidate in the lower house election, speaks in his electoral district in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture on the night of Dec. 14, 2014, after losing his seat in the election.

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Campaigning for Dec. 14 general election begins

NASUSHIOBARA, Japan - Yoshimi Watanabe, former leader of the opposition Your Party, which disbanded on Nov. 28, 2014, makes a speech in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture, on Dec. 2, the first day of official campaigning for the Dec. 14 lower house election.

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Your Party chief Watanabe

TOKYO, Japan - Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe drinks water while meeting the press at the Diet building in Tokyo on March 27, 2014, over an unaccounted-for 800 million yen in loans from a corporate executive. The House of Representatives member said he has no intention of stepping down as head of the small opposition party, and denied any foul play in connection with the money.

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Your Party chief Watanabe

TOKYO, Japan - Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe answers reporters' questions at the Diet building in Tokyo on March 27, 2014, over an unaccounted-for 800 million yen in loans from a corporate executive. The House of Representatives member said he has no intention to step down as head of the small opposition party, denying any foul play in the borrowing.

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Upper house election in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Photo series shows leaders of Japanese political parties campaigning on July 20, 2013, the day before the upper house election. They are (top row, from L) Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of the New Komeito party; Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who leads the Liberal Democratic Party; Banri Kaieda, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan; (middle row, from L) Japanese Communist Party leader Kazuo Shii; Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the People's Life Party; Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe; (bottom row, from L) Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, who doubles as co-leader of the Japan Restoration Party; Kuniko Tanioka, leader of the Green Wind party; and Mizuho Fukushima, leader of the Social Democratic Party.

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Upper house election in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe makes a stump speech in Tokyo's Sugamo district on July 4, 2013, the day official campaigning started for the July 21 upper house election that will be a key test of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's leadership over the past seven months.

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Party leaders' debate

TOKYO, Japan - Political party chiefs join hands before a debate on their policies in Tokyo on July 3, 2013, ahead of the July 21 House of Councillors election. From left are Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima, People's Life Party leader Ichiro Ozawa, New Komeito party leader Natsuo Yamaguchi, Democratic Party of Japan leader Banri Kaieda, Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party leader Shinzo Abe, Japan Restoration Party co-leader Toru Hashimoto, Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe, Japanese Communist Party leader Kazuo Shii and Green Wind party head Kuniko Tanioka.

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Party leaders' debate

TOKYO, Japan - Political party chiefs join hands before a debate on their policies in Tokyo on July 3, 2013, ahead of the July 21 House of Councillors election. From left are Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima, People's Life Party leader Ichiro Ozawa, New Komeito party leader Natsuo Yamaguchi, Democratic Party of Japan leader Banri Kaieda, Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party leader Shinzo Abe, Japan Restoration Party co-leader Toru Hashimoto, Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe, Japanese Communist Party leader Kazuo Shii and Green Wind party head Kuniko Tanioka.

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Online debate between party leaders

TOKYO, Japan - Yoshimi Watanabe, leader of the opposition Your Party, takes part in a debate, broadcast by the Nico Nico Douga live streaming website, in Tokyo's Roppongi area on the night of June 28, 2013, ahead of the July 21 House of Councillors election.

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Tokyo assembly election

TOKYO, Japan - Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe places a rose ornament above the name of the party's successful candidate in the Tokyo metropolitan assembly election in Tokyo on June 23, 2013. The number of the party's assembly members rose sharply to seven from one.

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Your Party head Watanabe

TOKYO, Japan - Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on May 21, 2013. Watanabe announced the party's decision to terminate its alliance with the Japan Restoration Party for elections of the House of Councillors and the Tokyo metropolitan assembly in the summer of 2013, following a series of remarks by Japan Restoration Party co-leader Toru Hashimoto regarding the system of wartime military brothels.

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Japan general election

TOKYO, Japan - Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe, claps his hands on the news of his win in the general election in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2012.

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Japan general election eve

TOKYO, Japan - Yoshimi Watanabe, head of Your Party, makes a stump speech in Tokyo's Shibuya district on Dec. 15, 2012, on the eve of the general election.

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Japan general election

TOKYO, Japan - Combination photo shows (top column, from R to L) Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, president of the Democratic Party of Japan, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, president of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, Yukiko Kada, head of the Tomorrow Party of Japan, Natsuo Yamaguchi, head of the New Komeito party, (center column, from R to L) former Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara, head of the Japan Restoration Party, Kazuo Shii, head of the Japanese Communist Party, Yoshimi Watanabe, head of Your Party, Mizuho Fukushima, head of the Social Democratic Party, (bottom column, from R to L) Kenko Matsuki, acting leader of the New Party Daichi, Shozaburo Jimi, head of the People's New Party, Yasuo Tanaka, head of the New Party Nippon, and Yoichi Masuzoe, head of the New Renaissance Party, while making stump speeches at various locations across the country on Dec. 4, 2012, as official campaigning kicked off the same day for the Dec. 16 general election.

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Japan general election

NASUSHIOBARA, Japan - Yoshimi Watanabe, head of Your Party, makes a stump speech in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture, on Dec. 4, 2012, after official campaigning kicked off for the Dec. 16, 2012, general election.

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Japan general election

NASUSHIOBARA, Japan - Yoshimi Watanabe, head of Your Party, makes a stump speech in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture, on Dec. 4, 2012, after official campaigning kicked off for the Dec. 16, 2012, general election.

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Japan general election

TOKYO, Japan - Leaders of Japan's major political parties join hands before a debate at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Nov. 30, 2012, ahead of the Dec. 16, 2012, general election. From L are Shozaburo Jimi of the People's New Party, Mizuho Fukushima of the Social Democratic Party, Kazuo Shii of the Japanese Communist Party, Natsuo Yamaguchi of the New Komeito party, Shinzo Abe of the Liberal Democratic Party, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of the Democratic Party of Japan, Yukiko Kada of Nippon Mirai no To (Japan Future Party), Shintaro Ishihara of the Japan Restoration Party, Yoshimi Watanabe of Your Party, Muneo Suzuki of the New Party Daichi and Yoichi Masuzoe of the New Renaissance Party.

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Japan general election

TOKYO, Japan - Leaders of some of Japan's major political parties join hands before a debate at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Nov. 30, 2012, ahead of the Dec. 16, 2012, general election. From L are Natsuo Yamaguchi of the New Komeito party, Shinzo Abe of the Liberal Democratic Party, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of the Democratic Party of Japan, Yukiko Kada of Nippon Mirai no To (Japan Future Party), Shintaro Ishihara of the Japan Restoration Party and Yoshimi Watanabe of Your Party.

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Your Party marks 1st anniversary

TOKYO, Japan - Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe speaks during a gathering in Tokyo on Sept. 7, 2010, to mark the first anniversary of the party's launch. The opposition party made a major advance in the House of Councillors election.

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Your Party marks 1st anniversary

TOKYO, Japan - Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe speaks during a gathering in Tokyo on Sept. 7, 2010, to mark the first anniversary of the party's launch. The opposition party made a major advance in the House of Councillors election.

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Your Party's Watanabe dismisses Kan's call for sales tax debate

TOKYO, Japan - Yoshimi Watanabe, head of the small opposition Your Party which gained 10 seats in the July 11 House of Councillors election, speaks in an interview with Kyodo News in Tokyo on July 14, 2010. Watanabe said Prime Minister Naoto Kan should tackle administrative reform before pressing for tax reform.

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Your Party takes big leap in Japan election

TOKYO, Japan - Yoshimi Watabane, head of the small opposition Your Party, celebrates his party's wins in the House of Councillors election at a hotel in Tokyo on July 11, 2010. Watanabe's party secured about 10 seats, adding to the single seat it held before the election.

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Your Party takes big leap in Japan election

TOKYO, Japan - Yoshimi Watanabe (R), head of the small opposition Your Party, celebrates after his party secures several seats in the House of Councillors election at a hotel in Tokyo on July 11, 2010. Prior to the election, Watanabe's party, launched in 2009, only had one seat in the upper chamber.

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Your Party takes big leap in Japan election

TOKYO, Japan - Yoshimi Watabane, head of the small opposition Your Party, celebrates his party's wins in the House of Councillors election at a hotel in Tokyo on July 11, 2010. Watanabe's party secured about 10 seats, adding to the single seat it held before the election.

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Your Party takes big leap in Japan election

TOKYO, Japan - Yoshimi Watabane, head of the small opposition Your Party, celebrates his party's wins in the House of Councillors election at a hotel in Tokyo on July 11, 2010. Watanabe's party secured about 10 seats, adding to the single seat it held before the election.

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Your Party's Watanabe in upper house election

TOKYO, Japan - Yoshimi Watanabe, head of the small opposition Your Party, cools himself with a wet towel while listening to live broadcasts of the latest results of the House of Councillors election at a hotel in Tokyo on July 11, 2010.

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Your Party's Watanabe at press conference

TOKYO, Japan - Yoshimi Watanabe, head of the small opposition Your Party, checks his specs during live broadcasts of the latest results of the House of Councillors election at a hotel in Tokyo on July 11, 2010.

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Your Party takes big leap in Japan election

TOKYO, Japan - Yoshimi Watabane, head of the small opposition Your Party, celebrates his party's wins in the House of Councillors election at a hotel in Tokyo on July 11, 2010. Watanabe's party secured about 10 seats, adding to the single seat it held before the election.

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Campaigning gets under way for upper house election

SHIZUOKA, Japan - Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe delivers a stump speech in Shizuoka on June 24, 2010, as official campaigning began for the July 11 House of Councillors election.

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Political leaders hold pre-election debate

TOKYO, Japan - Leaders of political parties -- (from L to R) New Renaissance Party's Yoichi Masuzoe, People's New Party's Shizuka Kamei, Japanese Communist Party's Kazuo Shii, Liberal Democratic Party's Sadakazu Tanigaki, Prime Minister Naoto Kan (who also serves as Democratic Party of Japan leader), New Komeito party's Natsuo Yamaguchi, Social Democratic Party's Mizuho Fukushima, Your Party's Yoshimi Watanabe and Sunrise Party of Japan's Takeo Hiranuma -- take part in a nationally televised debate at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on June 22, 2010, ahead of the June 24 start of official campaigning for the House of Councillors election.

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Political leaders hold pre-election debate

TOKYO, Japan - Leaders of political parties -- (from L to R) New Renaissance Party's Yoichi Masuzoe, People's New Party's Shizuka Kamei, Japanese Communist Party's Kazuo Shii, Liberal Democratic Party's Sadakazu Tanigaki, Prime Minister Naoto Kan (who also serves as Democratic Party of Japan leader), New Komeito party's Natsuo Yamaguchi, Social Democratic Party's Mizuho Fukushima, Your Party's Yoshimi Watanabe and Sunrise Party of Japan's Takeo Hiranuma -- take part in a nationally televised debate at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on June 22, 2010, ahead of the June 24 start of official campaigning for the House of Councillors election.

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Party leaders hold public debate before upper house election

TOKYO, Japan - Leaders of political parties -- (from L to R) New Renaissance Party's Yoichi Masuzoe, People's New Party's Shizuka Kamei, Japanese Communist Party's Kazuo Shii, Liberal Democratic Party's Sadakazu Tanigaki, Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who also serves as Democratic Party of Japan's leader, New Komeito party's Natsuo Yamaguchi, Social Democratic Party's Mizuho Fukushima, Your Party's Yoshimi Watanabe and Sunrise Party of Japan's Takeo Hiranuma -- line up at Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on June 22, 2010, before their public debate ahead of the June 24 start of official campaign for the House of Councillors election.

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Your Party's Watanabe reelected

TOKYO, Japan - Yoshimi Watanabe, leader of the small opposition Your Party, celebrates by putting a flower atop his name on a board after securing reelection as a House of Representatives lawmaker in the Aug. 30 general election at a Tokyo hotel. Watanabe, a former Cabinet minister on administrative reforms, defected from Prime Minister Taro Aso's ruling Liberal Democratic Party in January.

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Official campaign begins for Japan's lower house election

OTAWARA, Japan - Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe stumps in Otawara in Tochigi Prefecture on Aug. 18 as the official campaign started for the Aug. 30 House of Representatives election in Japan.

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Watanabe launches 'Your Party' ahead of general election

TOKYO, Japan - Former Cabinet minister Yoshimi Watanabe speaks about the launch of the new political party ''Minna no To'' (party for everyone) during a press conference in Tokyo on Aug. 8. The party will field 13 candidates in the Aug. 30 House of Representatives election, while endorsing two new independent candidates.

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Yosano, Watanabe allegedly receive money from dummy political body

TOKYO, Japan - Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano (L in this file photo) and former administrative reform minister Yoshimi Watanabe are hit by a money scandal June 23. A commodities futures trading agency provided a total of 90 million yen in political donations to the two through a dummy political body.

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DPJ-backed Shimizu wins Saitama mayoral election

SAITAMA, Japan - Hayato Shimizu (C) celebrates in the city of Saitama on May 24 after winning the Saitama mayoral election, with Yukio Edano (L), a lawmaker of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, and former Cabinet minister Yoshimi Watanabe (R). Shimizu, 47, supported by the DPJ, beat five rivals including the incumbent supported by the ruling camp.

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Watanabe forms new group with independent lawmaker, experts

TOKYO, Japan - Former Cabinet minister Yoshimi Watanabe answers questions from reporters during a news conference at the No. 2 House of Representatives lawmakers' building in Tokyo on Jan. 16 at which he announced the formation of a new political group just three days after leaving the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

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Watanabe forms new group with independent lawmaker, experts

TOKYO, Japan - Former Cabinet minister Yoshimi Watanabe (2nd from L) joins hands with members of a new political group he has formed just three days after leaving the ruling Liberal Democratic Party at a news conference at the No. 2 House of Representatives lawmakers' building in Tokyo on Jan. 16. The group consists of Watanabe, independent lawmaker Kenji Eda (L), Taro Yayama (2nd from R), a renowned political analyst, and Katsuhiko Eguchi (R), president of the PHP research institute, who heads a government panel on reorganizing Japan's prefectural system.

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2nd extra budget passes lower house despite opposition protest

TOKYO, Japan - Former administrative reform minister Yoshimi Watanabe (C), a ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker, leaves a lower house plenary session before voting on a second supplementary budget for fiscal 2008. Watanabe said he was demonstrating his ''determination to protest'' against the 2 trillion yen cash handout program included in the budget.

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Former state minister Watanabe leaves ruling LDP

TOKYO, Japan - Former administrative reform minister Yoshimi Watanabe leaves a press conference in Tokyo on Jan. 13 showing a letter he submitted to the Liberal Democratic Party earlier in the day announcing that he will leave the ruling party. Watanabe expressed his opposition to Prime Minister Taro Aso's policies.

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Former state minister Watanabe leaves ruling LDP

TOKYO, Japan - Former administrative reform minister Yoshimi Watanabe speaks during a news conference in a lower house lawmakers' building in Tokyo on Jan. 13. Watanabe submitted a letter to the Liberal Democratic Party earlier in the day announcing he will leave the ruling party and expressing his opposition to Prime Minister Taro Aso's policies.

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Ex-state minister Watanabe expresses readiness to leave LDP

OTAWARA, Japan - Former administrative reform minister Yoshimi Watanabe replies to questions by reporters in Otawara, Tochigi Prefecture, on Jan. 12 after expressing his intention to submit a letter to leave the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Jan. 13 at a meeting of his supporters.

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Watanabe to make final decision on leaving LDP

TOKYO, Japan - Former administrative reform minister Yoshimi Watanabe speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Jan. 8. Watanabe suggested he will make a decision soon on whether to leave Prime Minister Taro Aso's ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

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Ex-Cabinet minister Watanabe likely to leave LDP

TOKYO, Japan - Former administrative reform minister Yoshimi Watanabe (file photo) declares in Tokyo on Jan. 5 he will leave the ruling Liberal Democratic Party unless his demands, including calling an early election and canceling a cash benefit program, are studied.

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Watanabe to leave LDP if his demands not seriously mulled

TOKYO, Japan - Former administrative reform minister Yoshimi Watanabe speaks during a press conference at Tokyo's No.2 House of Representatives Building on Jan. 5 after he presented a set of demands to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, including his call for an early dissolution of the lower house for a snap general election. Watanabe said he would leave the party if his demands are not seriously considered.

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LDP's Watanabe seconds DPJ-proposed resolution at lower house

TOKYO, Japan - Yoshimi Watanabe, former administrative reform minister and a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Dec. 24 after he voted for a resolution introduced by the opposition Democratic Party of Japan to dissolve the House of Representatives for a general election at a plenary session of the lower house on Dec. 24.

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LDP's Watanabe seconds DPJ-proposed resolution at lower house

TOKYO, Japan - Yoshimi Watanabe, former administrative reform minister and a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, stands to show his approval of a resolution introduced by the opposition Democratic Party of Japan to dissolve the House of Representatives for a general election during a plenary session of the lower house on Dec. 24.