The Liberal Democratic Party launched its 'tours with lawmakers' program on Sunday, with Shinjiro Koizumi, a son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and a first-year lower house member, leading participants on a visit to a Self-Defense Forces facility in Kanagawa Prefecture.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Some 50 participants, selected from about 5,200 applicants, went to the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Yokosuka base where they were expected to tour an escort ship, enjoy the MSDF's specialty dish of 'kaigun –

curry" and talk with Koizumi.

Since winning his father's seat in the Kanagawa No. 11 district in the House of Representatives election in late August, Koizumi has been popular, particularly among young people.

The LDP, which lost the August general election to the Democratic Party of Japan after running the nation almost uninterrupted for 54 years, has organized the program as part of its efforts to cultivate voter support.

The tours are aimed at familiarizing LDP lawmakers with voters by visiting sites in their constituencies.

Future tours will likely include those led by former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike, Hiroshi Hase, a former professional wrestler and a lower house member, and Yuko Obuchi, a daughter of former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and former state minister in charge of declining birthrate.