Emboldened by an easy win in Sunday's gubernatorial election, Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara indicated he will pursue even more eyebrow-raising policies during his second four-year term.
"I'm happy that so many (voters) supported me," he told a news conference after most media reports declared him the victor in the five-way race. "I plan to be more radical than before."
The governor attributed his re-election to the fact that Tokyo voters appreciated the "realistic and specific" achievements of his first term in office.
Ishihara added that one of the top items on his agenda is the creation of a bank that solely caters to small and midsize businesses. The bank would be backed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and provide ample funds to small enterprises.
"The establishment of the bank would have great significance for Japan's financial system," he said, adding that since it would not operate overseas, it would not run counter to any of the regulations of the Bank for International Settlements.
But on the issue of whether the former House of Representatives lawmaker would consider a return to national-level politics, something which has long been rumored, Ishihara remained evasive as usual.
"I've just been elected to a second term, so I intend to fulfill my duties over the next four years," he said. "At the same time, I have always said that I am thinking of the (future of) Japan, and that there may come a time when I appear on another, different stage."
While acknowledging that he may have a chance to return to national politics, he also noted: "I was (a Diet member) for 25 years and decided to come to Tokyo because I felt limited" by politics at the national level.