Ryoji Takeyama

Qualities I admire most in other people are natural talent, and the desire and drive to make good use of those talent. Taking this one step further is using this drive and talent for the good of helping others. I am proud to say that all these are qualities I see in both of my parents. And I thank them both for instilling these values in us, their children.

My mother decided to take a great risk 8 years ago. She put everything on the line to pursue a new career and a dream. That dream was to change Japanese politics and to bring new ideas to Japan. My parents have always told me that to experience is very important and when given the opportunity, something new. And that was what my mother did in 1993 as she jumped at the opportunity to become a member of  the Diet. I am proud of her brave nature and I truly believe that my mother is changing Japan for the better.

My mother has a talent for politician, but she has something more than that. She has the honesty and integrity which is so lacking in most politicians today anywhere you look on the globe. I am proud of my mother not solely because she is a member of the Diet, but I am proud of her as a woman standing up for what she believes in and making just, moral decisions. I support my mother from afar here in America but I am always confident that she is doing the right things for the right reasons.

I do not enjoy calling my mother a "politician" because that name has so many negative connotations. My only hope is that you see that my mother has given this word, "politician", a good meanings.

Ganbatte Okaasan.