
Koizumi Critic's Home, Office Burn Down
--Fire destroys home, office of Japanese lawmaker who's criticized Koizumi's visits to shrine---
AP, TOKYO, Aug. 15, 2006---Ignoring protests at home and abroad, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited a shrine memorializing Japan's war dead Tuesday, and a few hours later a possible arson fire burned down the home and office of a lawmaker who has criticized the leader's pilgrimages.
Koizumi went to Yasukuni Shrine on the anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender to fulfill a 2001 campaign promise, shrugging off several days of demonstrations in Tokyo ....
A fire late Tuesday destroyed the adjoining house and office of lawmaker Koichi Kato, a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party who made numerous TV appearances during the day criticizing Koizumi for his shrine visit.
.....An unidentified man was found collapsed on the grounds with wounds to his abdomen and was taken to a hospital...more.