:Takashi Yamamoto (politician)

Yamamoto was a native of Ashiya, Hyōgo close to Osaka. He graduated from Shimizudani High school and Ritsumeikan University, and received a master's degree in sociology of the family from Michigan State University in the United States.

Yamamoto was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1993 as a member of Morihiro Hosokawa's Japan New Party but lost the seat in 2000. In 2001, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time.

He was the expert of the social welfare, and wrestled with many problems in the social security system, such as the reform of a pension policy and the medical system, and the foundation of "the nursing care insurance". During his time in the Diet he was one of the most prolific askers of questions to the house. Hardly any legislation is introduced to the Diet by representatives in Japan ("Act of Parliament"). However, he performed numerous "Acts of Parliament" during his time there.

On May 22, 2006, Yamamoto announced in a speech in the House of Councilors plenary session that he was suffering from cancer. He made an effort for the early conclusion of "The Basic Law to Promote Anti-Cancer (Cancer Control Act) :ja:がん対策基本法".

From his school days, Yamamoto continued volunteer activities. After graduation, he served a non-profit organization "ASHINAGA" (lit. Daddy Long Legs), an association which helps children orphaned by traffic accidents by providing scholarships.

On December 22, 2007, Yamamoto died of thymic carcinoma.{{cite news |url=http://www.asahi.com/kansai/okuyami/OSK200712230045.html |script-title=ja:がん公表の民主・山本参院議員が死去 - 関西|trans-title=Democratic Party Senator Yamamoto, who announced he had cancer, passes away - Kansai |date=2007-12-23 |newspaper=Asahi Shimbun |access-date=2008-01-12 |language=Japanese}} His seat in the House of Councillors was taken over by Hisako Ōishi on December 28.{{cite news |url=http://www.asahi.com/politics/update/1228/TKY200712280300.html |script-title=ja:大石尚子氏が繰り上げ当選 参院民主会派入り|trans-title=Naoko Oishi is elected as a replacement and joins the Democratic Party of the House of Councillors |newspaper=Asahi Shimbun |date=2007-12-28 |access-date=2008-01-12 |language=Japanese |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071231120646/http://www.asahi.com/politics/update/1228/TKY200712280300.html |archive-date = 2007-12-31}}

• "{{nihongo|Act of Parliament; A way to the Japanese political activation|議員立法 -- 日本政治活性化への道|Giin-Rippou; Nihon-Seiji Kasseika heno Michi　{{ISBN|978-4-88646-140-7}} }}", published by Daiichi Shorin, 1998.
• "{{nihongo|"The Japan Initiavive"; A Political Commentary|構想日本 政治時評|KOSO-NIPPON; Seiji-Jihyo　{{ISBN|978-4-88065-164-4}} }}", published by SUIYOSHA, 2006.
• "{{nihongo|For "life" to be able to save; A proposal to the Japanese cancer medical care|救える「いのち」のために　-- 日本のがん医療への提言|Sukueru "Inochi" no tame ni; Nihon no Gan-Iryo heno Teigen　{{ISBN|978-4-02-250388-6}} }}", published by Asahi Shimbun, 2008.

• {{cite web |url=http://www.senkyo.janjan.jp/diet/profile/0068/00068090.html |script-title=ja:政治家情報 〜山本 孝史〜 |trans-title=Politician information ~Takashi Yamamoto~ |publisher=JANJAN |access-date=2007-11-20 |language=Japanese |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201051753/http://www.senkyo.janjan.jp/diet/profile/0068/00068090.html |archive-date=2007-12-01 |df= }}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.ytakashi.net/ Official website] in Japanese
• [http://www.ashinaga.org/e/ ASHINAGA] traffic-accident orphaned child scholarship association

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Category:1949 births

Category:2007 deaths

Category:Politicians from Hyōgo Prefecture

Category:Ritsumeikan University alumni

Category:Michigan State University alumni

Category:Members of the House of Representatives (Japan)

Category:Members of the House of Councillors (Japan)

Category:Deaths from cancer in Japan

Category:Japan New Party politicians

Category:Democratic Party of Japan politicians

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