Takashi Yamashita (山下 貴司, Yamashita Takashi, born 8 September 1965) is a Japanese prosecutor and politician who has served in the House of Representatives since 2012. He was Minister of Justice from 2018 to 2019.[1]
Takashi Yamashita | |
|---|---|
山下 貴司 | |
 Official portrait, 2017 | |
| Minister of Justice | |
| In office 2 October 2018 – 11 September 2019 | |
| Prime Minister | Shinzo Abe |
| Preceded by | Yōko Kamikawa |
| Succeeded by | Katsuyuki Kawai |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office 16 December 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Keisuke Tsumura |
| Constituency | Okayama 2nd |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 September 1965 Okayama, Japan |
| Political party | Liberal Democratic |
| Education | University of Tokyo Columbia Law School |
Early life and prosecutorial career
editYamashita was born in Takamatsu and grew up in Okayama. After graduating from the University of Tokyo, he became a prosecutor, and served in several assignments, including as Legal Attache to the Embassy of Japan in the United States of America. He attended Columbia Law School on a Fulbright scholarship in 1997.
Yamashita left government service in 2010 after serving in an international director role in the Ministry of Justice.
Political career
editYamashita was elected in the 2012 Japanese general election to represent the Okayama 2nd district, defeating DPJ incumbent Keisuke Tsumura. He held his seat against Tsumura in the 2014 election and the 2017 election.
Yamashita served as Parliamentary Vice Minister of Justice before being appointed Minister of Justice on October 2, 2018. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe chose Yamashita as a conciliatory gesture to intra-party rival Shigeru Ishiba, who Yamashita supported.[2]
Opposition parties submitted a no confidence motion against Yamashita in November 2018, alleging that he did not properly explain an immigration bill that would admit more foreign workers to Japan.[3]
Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn was arrested and jailed during Yamashita's tenure as Justice Minister. During the affair, Yamashita defended the Japanese criminal justice system against international criticism.[4]
After Yamashita stepped down as Minister of Justice in September 2019, he was appointed as chief secretary of the LDP's internal body on revising the constitution, led by Hiroyuki Hosoda.[5]
References
edit- ^ yamashita-takashi.jp 山下たかしとは (in Japanese) retrieved 22 November 2018.
- ^ "PM Abe keeps 6 key ministers in reshuffled Cabinet, appoints 12 newcomers". Mainichi Daily News. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
- ^ "Lower house votes down no-confidence motion against justice minister". Mainichi Daily News. 27 November 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
- ^ "Japan Court Extends Carlos Ghosn Detention Until April 14". NDTV.com. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
- ^ "Abe picks legislative vets to lead charge on constitution". Nikkei Asian Review. Retrieved 11 September 2020.