suspect was expected to be charged some time in September 2006 . Reportedly the suspect was affiliated with a far-right organization and set fire to Kato's house for making remarks critical of then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visiting the Yasukuni Shrine. Retirement Kato retired from political office after losing his seat for Yamagata 3rd district at the December 2012 general election to Juichi Abe, an independent and mayor of Sakata. Death Kato died from pneumonia at a hospital in Tokyo on 9 September 2016. References External links Home Page (Japanese) Home Page (English, not updated) |- 1939 births 2016 deaths People from Yamagata Prefecture Government ministers of Japan Japanese defense ministers University of Tokyo alumni Harvard University alumni National Taiwan University alumni Members of the House of Representatives (Japan) Liberal Democratic Party (Japan) politicians 21st-century Japanese politicians