Yasutoshi Nishimura

Yasutoshi Nishimura (西村 康稔, Nishimura Yasutoshi, born October 15, 1962) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).

A native of Akashi, Hyōgo and a relative of Akira Fukida, a former Minister of Home Affairs, Nishimura graduated the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Law.

Nishimura joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1985, attending the University of Maryland while in the ministry. In 2003 he was elected for the first time as an independent after running unsuccessfully in 2000. He later joined the LDP.

Nishimura was running for the LDP presidential elections which was held September 28, 2009, but Sadakazu Tanigaki was elected.

Nishimura also served as Acting Director, Land, Infrastructure and Transport Division of LDP, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Fukuda Cabinet), Deputy Chairman, Policy Research Council of LDP, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of LDP's Shadow Cabinet, Senior Vice Minister of Cabinet Office.

Nishimura is affiliated to the openly revisionist lobby Nippon Kaigi, He advocates its main causes, which are: the revision of the constitution, the right for collective self-defense (revision of Article 9), visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine.

Nishimura is also a member of several right-wing Diet groups, including:

• Nippon Kaigi Diet discussion group (日本会議国会議員懇談会, Nippon kaigi kokkai giin kondankai)
• Conference of parliamentarians on the Shinto Association of Spiritual Leadership (神道政治連盟国会議員懇談会, Shinto Seiji Renmei Kokkai Giin Kondankai) - NB: SAS a.k.a. Sinseiren, Shinto Political League
• (as the Chairman) Committee for promoting the reform of the Fundamental Education Law (教育基本法改正促進委員会, Kyouiku kihonhou kaisei sokushin iinkai)
• Japan Rebirth (創生「日本」, Sosei Nippon)
• Alliance of Diet Members for Acting Toward the Fast Rescue of Japanese Victims Kidnapped by North Korea (北朝鮮に拉致された日本人を早期に救出するために行動する議員連盟, Kita Chousen ni rachi sareta Nipponjin wo souki kyuushutsu suru tame ni koudou suru giin renmei)
• Conference of young parliamentarians supporting the idea that the Yasukuni Shrine is a true national interest and desire for peace (平和を願い真の国益を考え靖国神社参拝を支持する若手国会議員の会)