Yoshimasa Hayashi (林 芳正, Hayashi Yoshimasa; born 19 January 1961) is a Japanese politician who has been serving as…
Yoshimasa Hayashi (林 芳正, Hayashi Yoshimasa; born 19 January 1961) is a Japanese politician who has been serving as Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications since October 2025. Hayashi previously held six cabinet positions: Minister of Defence (August–September 2008), Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy (July–September 2009), Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (December 2012 – September 2014, February–October 2015), Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (August 2017 – October 2018), and Minister of Foreign Affairs (November 2021 – September 2023), and Chief Cabinet Secretary (December 2023 – October 2025). A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, Hayashi was first elected to the House of Councillors in 1995, where he served for five terms until 2021. He resigned from the House to stand in the 2021 general election and has been serving as a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Yamaguchi 3rd district, since October 2021.
Famous Alumni of Shimonoseki Nishi High School
Shimonoseki Nishi High School: 5 people
Hiroshi Kimura (木村宏, Kimura Hiroshi) is a former chairman of Japan Tobacco, a Nikkei 225 company. In 1976, Kimura…
Hiroshi Kimura (木村宏, Kimura Hiroshi) is a former chairman of Japan Tobacco, a Nikkei 225 company. In 1976, Kimura started working for the Japan Tobacco & Salt Public Corporation (current name 'Japan Tobacco'). He became the president for this company on June 23, 2006. Mitsuomi Koizumi became the president of this company in June 2012, and became chairman.
Keigo Masuya (桝屋 敬悟, Masuya Keigo; born 3 April 1951) is a former Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a…
Keigo Masuya (桝屋 敬悟, Masuya Keigo; born 3 April 1951) is a former Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Abu District, Yamaguchi and graduate of the Soka University, he worked at the government of Yamaguchi Prefecture from 1975 to 1992. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1993.
Kenji Harada (原田建司, Harada Kenji; February 8, 1944 – April 22, 2015), known by his pen name Yoichi Funado (船戸与一, Funado…
Kenji Harada (原田建司, Harada Kenji; February 8, 1944 – April 22, 2015), known by his pen name Yoichi Funado (船戸与一, Funado Yoichi), was a Japanese writer of adventure fiction.
Akira Machida (町田 顯 Machida Akira, October 16, 1936 – April 5, 2015) was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan…
Akira Machida (町田 顯 Machida Akira, October 16, 1936 – April 5, 2015) was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan from 2002 to 2006. He was born in Shimonoseki, Japan. He first began his career in 1959, when he was appointed as a legal apprentice. In 1961 he was appointed as an assistant judge to the Tokyo District and its Family Court, the judge of the Muroran branch of the Sapporo District and its Family Court, and the judge of the Civil Affairs Bureau of the General Secretariat of the Supreme Court. In 1971 he was promoted to judge of the Sapporo District and its Family Court. In 1973 he became Chief of the Budget Division, Financial Affairs Bureau, and General Secretariat of the Supreme Court. He began serving as the Chief of the General Affairs Division in 1975, and although he quit being Chief of the Budget Division, he continued to perform in his other two positions until 1977, when he became Counsellor of the Cabinet Legislative Bureau. In 1983 he was appointed as a judge of the Tokyo District, and a presiding judge of the Division. From 1984 until 1991 he regained his position as General Secretariat of the Supreme Court; however, he also attained the status of Director of the Secretary and Public Information Division in 1984, which he kept until 1986 when he became Director of the Financial Affairs Bureau. In 1991 he became Chief Judge of the Kofu District Court and its Family Court. In 1993 he became Chief Judge of the Chiba District Court. In 1994 he was appointed judge of the Tokyo High Court, and a presiding judge of the Division. In 1998 he began serving as president of the Fukuoka High Court. In 1999 he became president of the Tokyo High Court. In 2000 he was appointed as a justice of the Supreme Court of Japan. He was appointed Chief Justice on November 6, 2002. One notable case his court has presided over, but he himself did not participate in, was over whether Japanese nationals living in foreign countries had the constitutional right to vote for a specific candidate in parliamentary elections. In addition, Chief Justice Machida voted with the majority to overturn a ruling from the Tokyo High Court that said the Tokyo Metropolitan Government could not bar a civil servant from her managerial exam due to her South Korean nationality. On October 15, 2006, Akira Machida retired upon reaching the age of 70. He was succeeded by Niro Shimada.