Japanese politician Makiko Tanaka. Intense, outspoken, emotional. Simultaneously enormously popular and controversial.

In April 2001 she became the first female Minister of Foreign Affairs in Japan.

These portraits, which seem to lay open Tanaka's private soul, were taken in Osaka on April 11, 2001. Mostly during a private session with Ms. Tanaka.

Contact kjduits@ikjeld.com if you would like to carry these photographs.

Click a thumbnail to display the full size image.

TANAKA, Makiko

Politician, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)

Date of Birth: January 14 1944

Outspoken and colorful, Makiko Tanaka is extremely popular among the Japanese; in opinion polls she is often one of the top candidates for prime minister.

Many believe it was Tanaka's support during the LDP presidential race of 2001 that helped catapult Junichiro Koizumi to the top position.

After studying for 2 years at a high school in Philadelphia, she entered Waseda University in 1964. Tanaka wanted to become an actress and joined a theatrical company, but her father forced her to stop.

In 1968 Tanaka married. Her husband Naoki was the son of a member of the Diet. In 1983 she campaigned on behalf of her husband and her immense popularity helped him win an LDP seat in the Lower House and later the Upper House.

After her father, former prime minister Kakuei Tanaka, suffered a stroke in 1985, Tanaka took care of him full-time. This experience influenced her to improve the nation's elderly care system as a politician.

Tanaka joined the Social Democratic Party of Japan (SDPJ) in 1991. Around this time she caused a sensation as the 'Whirlwind Madonna'.