10 Facts About Keiko Chiba

Keiko Chiba is a former justice minister of Japan.

Keiko Chiba worked to protect the rights of women and seniors.

Keiko Chiba held executive posts in the Japan Socialist Party and in its successor the Social Democratic Party, but she left the party to the Democratic Party of Japan in January 1997.

At the 20th House of Councillors election Keiko Chiba ran for the Diet representing Kanagawa and was elected to the House of Councillors for the fourth time.

On 9 October 2009 Keiko Chiba granted special permission to two Chinese sisters who lost a lawsuit against a government deportation order.

Keiko Chiba later enacted legislation to abolish the statute of limitations for murder and robbery-murder.

Keiko Chiba is a prominent member of various anti-death penalty organizations in Japan.

Keiko Chiba expressed her intention to give "warm treatment" to illegal immigrants in Japan, and she has reportedly said that all illegal immigrants in Japan should be allowed to stay in Japan without any legal documentation.

Keiko Chiba was reappointed as justice minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Naoto Kan in June 2010.

Keiko Chiba lost her seat in the House of Councillors on 11 July 2010, but Prime Minister Naoto Kan had kept her as the Minister of Justice until September.