Gaffe-prone ex-transport minister Nakayama not to run in next election

MIYAZAKI, Japan, Oct. 3 Kyodo - Nariaki Nakayama of the Liberal Democratic Party, who resigned as transport minister recently following a series of verbal gaffes, plans to retire from
politics and will not run in the next House of Representatives election, political sources said Friday.

In Tokyo, Prime Minister Taro Aso told reporters, ''A lawmaker is free to
decide whether to run or not. It's his decision. I have no way to answer other
than that.''
Nakayama, 65, told figures from the LDP's chapter in Miyazaki Prefecture, where
his constituency is located, of his intention to resign, they said.
Nakayama was appointed land, infrastructure, transport and tourism minister in
Aso's Cabinet launched Sept. 24.
But in media interviews after his appointment, Nakayama said Japan is
''ethnically homogenous,'' called those who have engaged in years of struggle
against the construction of Narita airport ''squeaky wheels'' and disparaged
the Japan Teachers' Union.
Nakayama resigned as transport minister Sept. 28 following criticism of the
remarks.
He was first elected to the lower chamber in 1986 and is currently serving his
sixth term.
Nakayama previously served as education minister under former Prime Minister
Junichiro Koizumi.
==Kyodo