Professional Luncheon,
Shiro Asano,
Candidate for Tokyo Governor

The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation.

He is a late starter, but can he win the race to lead Tokyo? Shiro Asano is the latest candidate to pitch himself against Shintaro Ishihara in the election for Tokyo governor.

Asano may also be the most serious of the challengers. His candidacy, which originated in response to encouragement by a grassroots movement in Tokyo, has the backing of the Democratic Party of Japan, the country's biggest opposition party.

Asano earned a reputation as a committed reformist when he was governor of Miyagi Prefecture, and has promised to bring the same qualities to the job of running the nation's capital. He says he will, for example, reconsider Tokyo's controversial bid to host the 2016 Olympics.

Asano differs from Ishihara in substance as well as in style. In contrast to what many regard as the latter's authoritarian streak, Asano says his vision includes more transparent government and greater consideration of the needs of the socially disadvantaged.

Ishihara, though, promises to be a formidable opponent. While some rail against his abrasive style, others see him as just the kind of tough and decisive leader a city like Tokyo needs.

So, what does Asano have planned for Tokyo? How does he plan to beat the formidable and popular Ishihara? Will his experience as governor of Miyagi do him any good at all? Come and hear the answers to these and other questions at the FCCJ on March 19.

Shiro Asano, Candidate for Tokyo Governor