Ishihara said at a news conference that the prominent advocate of decentralization has accepted the offer to join the metropolitan government despite differences in opinion with the governor.

Inose, 60, was a member of the central government's panel on privatization of the four quasigovernmental expressway operators in 2002. He was appointed a member of the Council for Decentralization Reform in April.

He disagrees with Ishihara on relocation of the nation's capital, something the governor opposes, and on some national tax proposals, which Inose says may not benefit Tokyo.

The Japan Times Weekly: June 23, 2007
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