was a Japanese

politician A politician is a person active in party politics, or a person holding or seeking an elected office in government. Politicians propose, support, reject and create laws that govern the land and by an extension of its people. Broadly speaking, a ...

of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of

Kasai, Hyōgo is a city located in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 42,494 in 18242 households and a population density of 72 persons per km². The total area of the city is . Geography Kasai is located almost in the cent ...

and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he joined the

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may refer to: * Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Cambodia) * Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Japan) * Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Niue) * Depar ...

in 1955. He was elected to the House of Representatives for Hyōgo 3rd district for the first time in 1986. He later represented the Hyōgo 4th district, and served as a House member until his defeat in

2009 File:2009 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The vertical stabilizer of Air France Flight 447 is pulled out from the Atlantic Ocean; Barack Obama becomes the first African American to become President of the United States; 2009 Iran ...

Death

On December 16, 2010, Inoue died of

pneumonia Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. The severity ...

at the age of 78.

Controversy

Following the

Sasebo slashing The , also known as the Nevada-tan murder, was the murder of a 12-year-old Japanese schoolgirl, , by an 11-year-old female classmate referred to as "Girl A" (a common placeholder name used for female criminals in Japan). The murder occurred on ...

in 2004, where a 11-year old girl murdered a 12-year old girl, Inoue referred to Girl A, the murderer, as ''genki'' (vigorous, lively), a word with positive connotations. He also remarked that "Men have committed thoughtless, harsh acts but I think this is the first for a girl. Recently the difference between men and women is shrinking." These comments drew criticism from women's groups.

References

1932 births 2010 deaths Politicians from Hyōgo Prefecture University of Tokyo alumni Members of the House of Representatives (Japan) Liberal Democratic Party (Japan) politicians 21st-century Japanese politicians Deaths from pneumonia in Japan {{Japan-politician-1930s-stub