Yoshinori Oguchi (大口 善徳, Ōguchi Yoshinori; born 5 September 1955) is a former Japanese politician who served as a…Yoshinori Oguchi (大口 善徳, Ōguchi Yoshinori; born 5 September 1955) is a former Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet for the Komeito Party. A native of Osaka and graduate of Soka University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1993.
Tomoko Sasaki (佐々木 知子, Sasaki Tomoko; born 2 March 1955) is a Japanese lawyer, politician, novelist and former…Tomoko Sasaki (佐々木 知子, Sasaki Tomoko; born 2 March 1955) is a Japanese lawyer, politician, novelist and former prosecutor. She became a prosecutor in 1983, and worked at the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders from 1993 to 1996. Elected to the House of Councillors in 1998, Sasaki was engaged in introducing the Stalker Regulation Law of 2000. She served as the director of the Women's Affairs Division of the Liberal Democratic Party. She did not run for the election in 2004, but remains a member of the Party Ethics Committee of the LDP. She is a leading advocate of capital punishment in the party. She set up a law firm in 2004 and became a professor of law at Teikyo University in 2005.
Kōichi Kusano (Kusano Koichi; born March 22, 1955) is a Japanese jurist who served as an associate justice of the…Kōichi Kusano (Kusano Koichi; born March 22, 1955) is a Japanese jurist who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Japan from 2019 to 2025.
Tadahiko Fukuhara (born 1954) is a Japanese academics, professor of civil law, member of the board of INES Corp and…Tadahiko Fukuhara (born 1954) is a Japanese academics, professor of civil law, member of the board of INES Corp and Japan Payment Service Association. In 2011 he became the president and chancellor of Chuo University, prior to that he was dean of the Chuo Graduate Law School at the Chuo University.
Shigeyuki Tomita (富田 茂之, Tomita Shigeyuki; born 1 October 1953) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of…Shigeyuki Tomita (富田 茂之, Tomita Shigeyuki; born 1 October 1953) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the New Komeito Party. A native of Choshi, Chiba and graduate of Hitotsubashi University, he was elected for the first time in 1990.
Kazuo Kitagawa (北側 一雄, Kitagawa Kazuo; born 2 March 1953) is a retired Japanese politician who served as the Minister…Kazuo Kitagawa (北側 一雄, Kitagawa Kazuo; born 2 March 1953) is a retired Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in the cabinet of Junichiro Koizumi.
Yuichiro Uozumi (魚住 裕一郎, Uozumi Yūichirō; born 1952) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the…Yuichiro Uozumi (魚住 裕一郎, Uozumi Yūichirō; born 1952) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kaisō District, Wakayama and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1995 after running unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives in 1993.
Natsuo Yamaguchi (山口 那津男, Yamaguchi Natsuo; born 12 July 1952) is a Japanese politician who served as the chief…Natsuo Yamaguchi (山口 那津男, Yamaguchi Natsuo; born 12 July 1952) is a Japanese politician who served as the chief representative of Komeito from 2009 to 2024. He is a member of the House of Councillors since 2001 and previously served in the House of Representatives from 1990 to 1996.
Hiroyuki Kanno (born July 3, 1952) is a Japanese jurist who served as an associate Justice of the Supreme Court of…Hiroyuki Kanno (born July 3, 1952) is a Japanese jurist who served as an associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan from 2016 to 2022.
Yuji Yamamoto (山本 有二, Yamamoto Yūji; born 11 May 1952) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Yuji Yamamoto (山本 有二, Yamamoto Yūji; born 11 May 1952) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kōchi Prefecture and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected to the Kōchi Prefectural Assembly in 1985 (serving for one term) and then to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1990. Yamamoto later served as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in the Third Abe Cabinet.
Masaaki Kanda (神田 真秋, Kanda Masaaki; born 1 October 1951) is a Japanese politician who served as governor of Aichi…Masaaki Kanda (神田 真秋, Kanda Masaaki; born 1 October 1951) is a Japanese politician who served as governor of Aichi Prefecture from 1999 to 2011. A graduate of Chuo University, he served as mayor of Ichinomiya for three terms from 1989 to 1998 before he was first elected governor of Aichi Prefecture in 1999.
Carlos Holmes Trujillo García (23 September 1951 – 26 January 2021) was a Colombian dynasty politician, diplomat…Carlos Holmes Trujillo García (23 September 1951 – 26 January 2021) was a Colombian dynasty politician, diplomat, scholar, and attorney who served as minister of defense, foreign affairs, interior, and education. He also served as the mayor of Cali and as ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS), the European Union, and a number of nations.
Masayuki Ikegami (Ikegami Masayuki; born August 29, 1951) is a Japanese jurist who served as an associate Justice of…Masayuki Ikegami (Ikegami Masayuki; born August 29, 1951) is a Japanese jurist who served as an associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan from 2014 to 2021.
Katsuyuki Kizawa (Kizawa Katsuyuki; born August 27, 1951) is a Japanese jurist who served as an associate Justice of…Katsuyuki Kizawa (Kizawa Katsuyuki; born August 27, 1951) is a Japanese jurist who served as an associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan from 2016 to 2021.
Nobuo Matsuno (松野 信夫, Matsuno Nobuo; born 2 June 1951) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Nobuo Matsuno (松野 信夫, Matsuno Nobuo; born 2 June 1951) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who served as a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Tokyo and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2003 after an unsuccessful run in 2000. After losing the seat in 2005, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2007.
Naoyuki Agawa (阿川 尚之, Agawa Naoyuki; April 14, 1951 – November 12, 2024) was a Japanese lawyer, diplomat, academic and…Naoyuki Agawa (阿川 尚之, Agawa Naoyuki; April 14, 1951 – November 12, 2024) was a Japanese lawyer, diplomat, academic and author. He was a professor of law at Keio University from 1999; and from 2009, he served as the university's vice president for International Collaboration and Education.
Susumu Yanase (簗瀬 進, Yanase Susumu; born 23 April 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a…Susumu Yanase (簗瀬 進, Yanase Susumu; born 23 April 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Takashi Suzuki (鈴木隆史, Suzuki Takashi; born Tuesday, June 21st, 1949) is a Japanese public official. Suzuki graduated…Takashi Suzuki (鈴木隆史, Suzuki Takashi; born Tuesday, June 21st, 1949) is a Japanese public official. Suzuki graduated from Kyoto University and joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1973. He was appointed General Manager of the Washington office of Japan National Oil Corporation in May 1988, Deputy Director-General of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy in July 2001, and Director of the Economic and Industrial Policy Bureau in July 2006. He was also Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office from July 2008, but has since stepped down.
Kaoru Onimaru (鬼丸 かおる, Onimaru Kaoru) is a lawyer and former Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan. She was born on…Kaoru Onimaru (鬼丸 かおる, Onimaru Kaoru) is a lawyer and former Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan. She was born on February 7, 1949. In 1973, she earned her law degree from the University of Tokyo. On February 16, 2013, Onimaru was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan. Prior to her judgeship, Onimaru practiced for decades as a family law attorney. She had also served as a member of the National Life Council of the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Labor Insurance Review Board. She retired from the bench on February 6, 2019, and currently serves as a LIXIL Group Board of Director.
Tomoo Nishikawa (西川 知雄, Nishikawa Tomoo) is a Japanese attorney and former politician, having previously served for one…Tomoo Nishikawa (西川 知雄, Nishikawa Tomoo) is a Japanese attorney and former politician, having previously served for one term in the House of Representatives.
Shingo Nishimura (西村眞悟, Nishimura Shingo; born 7 July 1948) is a former Japanese politician who was a member of the…Shingo Nishimura (西村眞悟, Nishimura Shingo; born 7 July 1948) is a former Japanese politician who was a member of the House of Representatives from 1993 to 2014. Nishimura is known for his negationism of Japanese war crimes committed during World War II.
Fumio Ueda (上田 文雄, Ueda Fumio; June 11, 1948 – September 18, 2025) was a Japanese politician who was the mayor of…Fumio Ueda (上田 文雄, Ueda Fumio; June 11, 1948 – September 18, 2025) was a Japanese politician who was the mayor of Sapporo, capital city of Hokkaido.
Toshio Ogawa (小川 敏夫, Ogawa Toshio; born 18 March 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party…Toshio Ogawa (小川 敏夫, Ogawa Toshio; born 18 March 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party and a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). Ogawa is a former Minister of Justice. A native of Nerima, Tokyo, and a graduate of Rikkyo University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1998 after working as a prosecutor.
Yoshihiro Yasuda (安田 好弘, Yasuda Yoshihiro; born December 4, 1947) is a Japanese lawyer known for his anti–death penalty…Yoshihiro Yasuda (安田 好弘, Yasuda Yoshihiro; born December 4, 1947) is a Japanese lawyer known for his anti–death penalty activism. With death penalty being a prominent method of punishment for violent criminals in Japan, Yasuda has defended many of these cases. At the time when Yasuda took on many of these cases, such cases were considered detrimental to a lawyer's career. He participated in many controversial trials because he believed that the suspects were tried unfairly as a result of mass media bashing.
Masaharu Ōhashi (大橋正春, Masaharu Ōhashi; born March 31, 1947) is a former justice of the Supreme Court of Japan, serving…Masaharu Ōhashi (大橋正春, Masaharu Ōhashi; born March 31, 1947) is a former justice of the Supreme Court of Japan, serving from 2012 to 2017. He was appointed on 13 February 2012, succeeding Kohei Nasu on the Third Petty Bench. He passed the bar exam in 1968, received his LLB (in both Private Law and Public Law programs) from the University of Tokyo in 1969, and his LLM degree from Harvard Law School in 1976. Before joining the Supreme Court, he held a number of high-profile positions in the Japanese Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA) and was a co-founder/partner of Tokei Partners. He reportedly enjoys pottery, rakugo, and legal dramas.
Masamichi Kondo (近藤 正道, Kondō Masamichi; born January 25, 1947) is a Japanese politician and member of the House of…Masamichi Kondo (近藤 正道, Kondō Masamichi; born January 25, 1947) is a Japanese politician and member of the House of Councillors for the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Elected in 2004 as an independent candidate with support of the Democratic Party of Japan and the SDP from Niigata Prefecture (No. 1 with 428,117 votes), he is, as of 2008, the only directly elected SDP member of the House of Councillors. Kondo is a graduate of Chuo University and worked as a lawyer in Niigata. From 1987 to 2004 he was a member of the Niigata prefectural assembly.
Kenji Utsunomiya (宇都宮 健児, Utsunomiya Kenji; born December 1, 1946) is a Japanese lawyer and former chair of the Japan…Kenji Utsunomiya (宇都宮 健児, Utsunomiya Kenji; born December 1, 1946) is a Japanese lawyer and former chair of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.
Frank Hsieh Chang-ting (Chinese: 謝長廷; pinyin: Xiè Chángtíng; born 18 May 1946) is a Taiwanese politician, diplomat, and…Frank Hsieh Chang-ting (Chinese: 謝長廷; pinyin: Xiè Chángtíng; born 18 May 1946) is a Taiwanese politician, diplomat, and former defense attorney who has served as the chairman of the Taiwan–Japan Relations Association since 2026. He was the premier of the Republic of China in the administration of Chen Shui-bian from 2005 to 2006, the mayor of Kaohsiung from 1998 to 2005, and a member of the Legislative Yuan from 1990 to 1996. Born in Taipei, Hsieh earned law degrees from National Taiwan University and Kyoto University in 1970 and 1972, respectively. He practiced law as a defense attorney and rose to prominence as a member of the legal team defending the eight pro-democracy activists arrested in the 1979 Kaohsiung Incident. He was elected to the Taipei City Council in 1981, helped found the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 1986, and was elected a member of the Legislative Yuan in 1990. After serving two terms as mayor of Kaohsiung and a term as chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party from 2000 to 2002, Hsieh was named the premier under Chen Shui-bian. At the end of Chen's presidency, he was named the DPP's candidate in the 2008 presidential election, but was defeated by Ma Ying-jeou. He has since held multiple ambassadorial and advisory positions under presidents Tsai Ing-wen and Lai Ching-te.
Kazuya Maruyama (丸山 和也, Maruyama Kazuya; born January 23, 1946) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Kazuya Maruyama (丸山 和也, Maruyama Kazuya; born January 23, 1946) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Yoshito Sengoku (仙谷 由人, Sengoku Yoshito; 15 January 1946 – 11 October 2018) was a Japanese politician serving in the…Yoshito Sengoku (仙谷 由人, Sengoku Yoshito; 15 January 1946 – 11 October 2018) was a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Democratic Party of Japan.
Chuko Hayakawa (早川 忠孝, Hayakawa Chūkō; born 4 September 1945) is a Japanese attorney who previously served as a Liberal…Chuko Hayakawa (早川 忠孝, Hayakawa Chūkō; born 4 September 1945) is a Japanese attorney who previously served as a Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature), representing Saitama Prefecture. He is a native of Nagasaki Prefecture and graduate of the University of Tokyo. He worked at the Ministry of Home Affairs from 1969 to 1973 and then resigned to undergo training as an attorney at the Legal Research and Training Institute, beginning private law practice in 1975. In the 2003 general election, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time, after running unsuccessfully in 1996 and 2000. He represented the 4th District of Saitama Prefecture, which includes the cities of Asaka and Shiki. He served as Justice Parliamentary Secretary under Prime Minister Taro Aso. In February 2009 he announced that he would resign as "an expression of my will for independence" amid an internal revolt against the unpopular prime minister, but retracted his announcement shortly thereafter. He lost his Diet seat in the 2009 general election and thereafter resumed law practice.
Kantoku Teruya (Japanese: 照屋 寛徳, Hepburn: Teruya Kantoku; 24 July 1945 – 15 April 2022) was a member of the Social…Kantoku Teruya (Japanese: 照屋 寛徳, Hepburn: Teruya Kantoku; 24 July 1945 – 15 April 2022) was a member of the Social Democratic Party from Okinawa, who served in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2021. Teruya was part of the All-Okinawa coalition, which opposed the relocation of a US Marine base to Nago. Teruya was previously a member of the House of Councillors between 1995 and 2001.
Toshiko Hamayotsu (浜四津 敏子, Hamayotsu Toshiko; January 6, 1945 – November 29, 2020) was a Japanese politician of the New…Toshiko Hamayotsu (浜四津 敏子, Hamayotsu Toshiko; January 6, 1945 – November 29, 2020) was a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party who served as a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature) from 1992 to 2010.
Yoshio Urushibara (漆原 良夫, Urushibara Yoshio; born 18 November 1944) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party…Yoshio Urushibara (漆原 良夫, Urushibara Yoshio; born 18 November 1944) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Nobutaka Tsutsui (筒井 信隆, Tsutsui Nobutaka; 10 November 1944 – 1 October 2026) was a Japanese politician who served in…Nobutaka Tsutsui (筒井 信隆, Tsutsui Nobutaka; 10 November 1944 – 1 October 2026) was a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Democratic Party of Japan.
Yoshiaki Harada (原田 義昭, Harada Yoshiaki; born 1 October 1944) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Yoshiaki Harada (原田 義昭, Harada Yoshiaki; born 1 October 1944) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). Harada represents the 2nd District of Kanagawa prefecture, which includes the cities of Kawasaki, Yokosuka, and Kamakura.
Ritsuo Hosaka (細川 律夫, Hosakawa Ritsuo; born 8 August 1943) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Ritsuo Hosaka (細川 律夫, Hosakawa Ritsuo; born 8 August 1943) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Takenori Kanzaki (神崎 武法, Kanzaki Takenori; born 15 July 1943) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of…Takenori Kanzaki (神崎 武法, Kanzaki Takenori; born 15 July 1943) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives as a member of the Komeito Party. He was born in Tianjin, China during the time part of China was under Japanese occupation. A graduate of the University of Tokyo, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1983. From August 1993 to April 1994, he served as Minister of Posts and Telecommunications in Morihiro Hosokawa's cabinet. Kanzaki was the Komeito's leader when the party entered into the coalition in October 1999 with the Liberal Democratic Party which it still maintains to this day. Kanzaki was a noted critic of Prime Minister Yoshirō Mori. Around the time some members of the LDP were voicing opposition to a local referendum which expressed opposition to a proposed dam project along the Yoshino River, Kanzaki insisted that the voters' decision should be respected fully. In 2001, he stated his support for allowing married couples to retain separate surnames. He stepped down as party leader in 2006 and became an advisor instead. Although Komeito suffered a heavy blow in the 2009 general election along with its coalition partner, Kanzaki was able to secure a position in the Diet thanks to the Kyushu PR block results. He retired from the Diet in 2010 due to kidney failure, but remained a permanent advisor to his party.
Mutsuo Tahara (田原 睦夫, Tahara Mutsuo; April 23, 1943 – February 19, 2016) was a Japanese judge who was a member of the…Mutsuo Tahara (田原 睦夫, Tahara Mutsuo; April 23, 1943 – February 19, 2016) was a Japanese judge who was a member of the Supreme Court of Japan. He is notable in Japan for his contributions to bankruptcy law.
Masahiko Yamada (山田 正彦, Yamada Masahiko; born 8 April 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the…Masahiko Yamada (山田 正彦, Yamada Masahiko; born 8 April 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) between 1993 and 1996, and between 2003 and 2012. A native of Fukue, Nagasaki, a Roman Catholic, and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1993 after unsuccessful runs in 1979, 1986 and 1990. Before running for office, he worked as a rancher and a lawyer.
Masahiko Kōmura (高村 正彦, Kōmura Masahiko; born 15 March 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as Vice President of…Masahiko Kōmura (高村 正彦, Kōmura Masahiko; born 15 March 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as Vice President of the Liberal Democratic Party from 2012 to 2018. He served in several cabinet position, including as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1998 to 1999 and again from 2007 to 2008. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1980 to 2017.
Kohei Nasu (那須 弘平, Nasu Kōhei; born February 11, 1942) is a former member of the Supreme Court of Japan. He was…Kohei Nasu (那須 弘平, Nasu Kōhei; born February 11, 1942) is a former member of the Supreme Court of Japan. He was appointed to the court on May 25, 2006, and reached mandatory retirement age in 2012. He was succeeded by Masaharu Ōhashi.
Katsuhiko Kumazaki (熊﨑 勝彦, Kumazaki Katsuhiko; January 24, 1942 – May 13, 2022) was the commissioner for the Nippon…Katsuhiko Kumazaki (熊﨑 勝彦, Kumazaki Katsuhiko; January 24, 1942 – May 13, 2022) was the commissioner for the Nippon Professional Baseball league. He served as the Commissioner of Baseball (NPB) between 2014 and 2017. He handed out punishments for many reasons, including gambling. He was key in the return of baseball to the 2020 Olympics.
Satsuki Eda (江田 五月, Eda Satsuki; 22 May 1941 – 28 July 2021) was a Japanese politician who was the first opposition…Satsuki Eda (江田 五月, Eda Satsuki; 22 May 1941 – 28 July 2021) was a Japanese politician who was the first opposition member to serve as the President of the House of Councillors from 2007 to 2010. Eda had served for three terms in the House of Councillors before his election as president on 7 August 2007, after the success of the Democratic Party in the July 2007 election for the Japanese House of Councillors. He had earlier served four terms in the House of Representatives from 1983 to 1996. Eda was also the head of the Science and Technology Agency.
Takahiro Yokomichi (横路 孝弘, Yokomichi Takahiro; 3 January 1941 – 2 February 2023) was a Japanese politician who belonged…Takahiro Yokomichi (横路 孝弘, Yokomichi Takahiro; 3 January 1941 – 2 February 2023) was a Japanese politician who belonged to the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and was a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Sapporo, Hokkaidō, and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he was elected to the first of his five terms in the House of Representatives in 1969 as a member of the Japan Socialist Party in the electoral district of his late father Setsuo. He left the House of Representatives and was elected to be the Governor of Hokkaidō. He served for three terms from 1983 to 1995. After finishing his term as governor, he left the Socialist Party, joining the DPJ. In 1996 he was re-elected to the House of Representatives. He was the leader of the most left-leaning faction in the DPJ. After the victory of 2009 elections, then-DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama named him as the next house speaker. In the 2012 general election Yokomichi lost his single-seat electorate but retained a seat in the Diet through the proportional representation system. He managed to regain his seat in the 2014 election and held it until he retired in 2017.
Isao Imai (今井 功, Imai Isao; born December 26, 1939) is a Japanese attorney-at-law (a counsel of TMI Associates) and was…Isao Imai (今井 功, Imai Isao; born December 26, 1939) is a Japanese attorney-at-law (a counsel of TMI Associates) and was a member of the Supreme Court of Japan.
Masatoshi Kurata (倉田 雅年, Kurata Masatoshi; 10 July 1939 – 21 November 2016) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Masatoshi Kurata (倉田 雅年, Kurata Masatoshi; 10 July 1939 – 21 November 2016) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Shimizu, Shizuoka, and a graduate of the University of Tokyo, he was elected for the first time in 2000 after an unsuccessful run in 1996. He died of cancer in 2016.
Okiharu Yasuoka (保岡 興治, Yasuoka Okiharu; 11 May 1939 – 19 April 2019) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Okiharu Yasuoka (保岡 興治, Yasuoka Okiharu; 11 May 1939 – 19 April 2019) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kagoshima Prefecture and graduate of Chuo University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1972 as an independent. He later joined the LDP and served as the Minister of Justice from 2000 to 2001. He was later returned to the post of Minister of Justice under Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on 1 August 2008. Yasuoka was a licensed attorney. He left the LDP in 1994 to join the now-defunct Shinshinto party, but returned to the LDP in 1995. Yasuoka is known to have worked himself and his staff very long hours. He was one of the key participants in the launch of Fukuda's administration in 2007. Yasuoka also chaired the LDP's Constitution Research Commission. An avid jogger and swimmer, Yasuoka repeatedly swam the 2.1 km-wide Kinko Bay in Kagoshima Prefecture. In October 2017, Yasuoka retired after doctors discovered his cancer. Yasuoka's son ran, but lost to Hiroshi Kawauchi of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. Yasuoka died of cancer on 19 April 2019 at a Tokyo hospital, at the age of 79.
