Koizumi family explained

The Koizumi family has been prominent in Japanese politics since the early 1900s. Notable members of this family include:

• Matajirō Koizumi (1865–1951)  - Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, he was known as the "wild man" and "tattoo minister" because of a large dragon Irezumi tattoo on his back.^[1] While many other politicians of his era descended from the samurai class, Matajirō's father Yoshibe Koizumi was a scaffolder and commoner.
  • Jun'ya Koizumi (1904–1969)  - Son-in-law of Matajirō. Served as Director General of the Japanese Defense Agency.
    • Tetsugoro Iryo (1924/25–1945)  - nephew of Jun'ya and cousin of Junichirō Koizumi, died a kamikaze pilot.
    • Junichirō Koizumi (born 1942)  - son of Jun'ya and grandson of Matajirō. Former Prime Minister of Japan.^[2]
    • Kayoko Miyamoto (born 1957?)  - ex-wife of Junichirō Koizumi.^[3]
      • Kotaro Koizumi (born 1978)  - actor, eldest son of Junichirō.^[4]
      • Shinjirō Koizumi (born 1981)  - politician, second son of Junichirō.^[5]
      • Yoshinaga Miyamoto (born 1982)  - third son of Junichirō, has never met his father.^{[3] [6]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Japan's Justice Minister to Resign Over Yakuza Ties. The Daily Beast. Jake Adelstein. 19 October 2012. 9 February 2016.
2. Web site: An encore for Japan's first Elvis-impersonating PM. The Guardian. Justin McCurry. 10 November 2003. 9 February 2016.
3. Web site: Divorce, Japanese Style. Los Angeles Times. Valerie Reitman. 2 October 2001. 9 February 2016.
4. Web site: Japanese PM's son seeks limelight. BBC News. 1 August 2001. 9 February 2016.
5. Web site: Prime minister's son struggles in Japan election. San Diego Union-Tribune. Yuri Kageyama. 18 August 2009. 9 February 2016.
6. Web site: For Japanese, a Typical Tale of Divorce. The Washington Post. Kathryn Tolbert. 19 May 2001. 9 February 2016.