Koizumi leads first of LDP`s `tours with lawmakers`+

TOKYO, Dec. 13 Kyodo -
The Liberal Democratic Party launched its ''tours with lawmakers'' program on
Sunday, with Shinjiro Koizumi, a son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
and a first-year lower house member, leading participants on a visit to a
Self-Defense Forces facility in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Some 50 participants, selected from about 5,200 applicants, went to the
Maritime Self-Defense Force's Yokosuka base where they were expected to tour an
escort ship, enjoy the MSDF's specialty dish of ''kaigun (navy) curry'' and
talk with Koizumi.
Since winning his father's seat in the Kanagawa No. 11 district in the House of
Representatives election in late August, Koizumi has been popular, particularly
among young people.
The LDP, which lost the August general election to the Democratic Party of
Japan after running the nation almost uninterrupted for 54 years, has organized
the program as part of its efforts to cultivate voter support.
The tours are aimed at familiarizing LDP lawmakers with voters by visiting
sites in their constituencies.
Future tours will likely include those led by former Defense Minister Yuriko
Koike, Hiroshi Hase, a former professional wrestler and a lower house member,
and Yuko Obuchi, a daughter of former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and former
state minister in charge of declining birthrate.
==Kyodo