Izaya Orihara

Izaya Orihara (折原 臨也) is a Teikonian politician who served as the 28th Chancellor of the Realm from 2004 to 2010. He is the first chancellor to have held the positions of Minister of the Left, Minister of the Right and Minister of the Center. He previously served as Minister for Budget and Finance from 1992 to 1998 under Kisuke Urahara. He was a member of the Teiko Royal Council representing Aokise 2nd district from 1979 to 2010. His win in the 2003 national elections with a majority of 60.85% was the highest at that time for any chancellorship candidate.

Widely seen as a maverick leader of the Teiko National Party, he became known as an economic reformer and champion of liberal agenda. During his tenure as chancellor, Izaya pushed many landmark reforms such as increase spending in military and intensifying surveillance of the Teiko Special Advisory Board. Izaya also sought to privatize many ailing state-owned corporations which included the Teiko Telegraph and Telephone. His administration is well-known for cutting foreign debt by increasing exports leading to six-years of trade surplus. He also made international acclaim when he ordered the deployment of Teikonian troops in the Middle East in 2001.

In August 2009, he surprised the country when he became a staunch supporter of Seijuro Akashi. He supported the young legislator to win the 2009 national elections which led to a landslide win of 69.45% majority, surpassing his own record majority in 2003. During the Akashi administration, Izaya kept a low profile while he served only in advisor capacity. Izaya returned to national attention in 2016 after supporting Prince Taishi of Nakagawa as regent of the Prince of Teiko.

Chancellorship


On January 2004, Izaya was inaugurated for as chancellor of the realm. Izaya was met with high anticipating for his continuing his tax reform and other economic policies which started during his stint as Minister for Budget and Finance. During the campaign, Izaya has promised to lower income and corporate tax. However, reports of increasing consumption tax from 6% to 12% to compensate for lost revenues quickly drained his popularity and was forced to shelve both proposals.

On June 2008, Izaya met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to increase trade and economic activity between both nations. Izaya's flexible policies towards Russia has been met with mixed criticism. Izaya also relaxed visa requirements for most Southeast Asia nations including the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia in hopes of encourage more foreign tourists to the country.

In September 2008, Izaya introduced a US$100.6 billion stimulus package to keep the country's economy afloat during the 2008 Global Financial crises. Izaya also succeeded in weakening the Teikonian zen which allowed favorable trade in the country. From 2004-2017, the country's GDP growth remained stable at an average of 4.8%. Teikonian economy contracted in 2008 and 2009 but grew in 2010.

In March 2009, Izaya announced that he is not seeking re-election for health reasons. He broke party ranks and norms when he endorsed rising legislator Seijuro Akashi for the chancellorship in August 2009. In 2015, it was revealed that Izaya has been suffering from brain cancer and is currently being treated at the University of Kaijou Hospital.