Professional Luncheon,
Kosuke Hori,
Policy Research Council Chairman, LDP

The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation.

If Japan's economy was buzzing along at a high speed, few outside of Japan's political nerve-center of Nagatacho would care about Japan's prime minister and the revolving-door drama of the past couple of years.

But the economy is probably in a recession and the nation's longer-term prospects are looking rather bleak. That's where smart policies to recharge the economy and to overcome the problem of the rapidly graying society, which is weighing on the creaking pension and healthcare system, come into play.

With an election within the next year -- possibly as early as next month, the ruling party's top policy official will come to the Club to discuss some of the most crucial issues facing the nation and how the party plan to assuage voters' concerns for the future. These include the recently approved stimulus package, whether fiscal reform will be put on the back burner, the consumption tax and revamping pensions and healthcare.

First elected to the Lower House in 1979 after working at bearing maker NSK, Hori served as minister of education and home affairs and is considered an agricultural expert. A graduate of Keio University, the veteran lawmaker was one of the postal rebels in the 2005 Lower House election and beat the "assassin" sent to take him out.

Sandwich: Toasted pastrami, swiss cheese, tomato & basil pesto on rye with green salad.
Hot Lunch: Parmesan crusted chicken breast, garlic mashed potato, steamed broccoli & bell pepper butter with green salad & bread.
Dining Room Special: Sirloin minute steak, buttered roast potato, sauteed spinach, fried onion & mushroom ragout with green salad, bread & dessert.

Kosuke Hori