Count Terashima Munenori (寺島 宗則; 21 June 1832 – 6 June 1893) was a Japanese politician and diplomat during the Meiji…Count Terashima Munenori (寺島 宗則; 21 June 1832 – 6 June 1893) was a Japanese politician and diplomat during the Meiji period. He served as President of the Chamber of Elders and Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Count Ōki Takatō (大木 喬任; March 23, 1832 – September 26, 1899), was a Japanese statesman during the early Meiji period.…Count Ōki Takatō (大木 喬任; March 23, 1832 – September 26, 1899), was a Japanese statesman during the early Meiji period. He was Governor of Tokyo in 1868 and a member of the Japanese Privy Council in 1889.
Marquis Sasaki Takayuki (佐々木 高行; November 26, 1830 – March 3, 1910) was a bureaucrat, government minister and court…Marquis Sasaki Takayuki (佐々木 高行; November 26, 1830 – March 3, 1910) was a bureaucrat, government minister and court official in late Meiji period Japan.
Ōkubo Toshimichi (Japanese: 大久保 利通; 26 September 1830 – 14 May 1878) was a Japanese statesman and samurai of the…Ōkubo Toshimichi (Japanese: 大久保 利通; 26 September 1830 – 14 May 1878) was a Japanese statesman and samurai of the Satsuma Domain. Regarded as one of the main founders of modern Japan, he was one of the "Three Great Nobles" who led the Meiji Restoration in 1868, alongside Kido Takayoshi and Saigō Takamori. His policies, often characterized by realism and a focus on national strength (fukoku kyōhei), has led some historians to compare his role in Japan to that of Otto von Bismarck in Prussia. Beginning his career as a low-ranking retainer in Satsuma, Ōkubo became a central figure in the movement to overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate, and following the restoration of imperial rule became a prominent leader in the new Meiji government. As a junior councilor and later in key ministerial posts, he was a principal architect of the new state, driving reforms that dismantled the old feudal structure. His most significant achievement in this period was the abolition of the han system in 1871, which centralized the country under the Tokyo government. Ōkubo served as a vice-ambassador on the Iwakura Mission (1871–1873), touring the United States and Europe. The experience reinforced his belief that Japan must prioritize internal modernization before engaging in foreign ventures. Following his return, he successfully opposed a proposed invasion of Korea (Seikanron) in October 1873, thereby leading to a political split with his former ally Takamori. Upon being named Home Minister in November 1873, Ōkubo consolidated power to become the dominant figure within the Meiji oligarchy. Ōkubo then focused on a state-led industrialization drive and suppressed several samurai uprisings that challenged the central government, including the Saga and Satsuma Rebellions. In 1878, Ōkubo was assassinated by a group of disaffected samurai who accused him of tyranny. While controversial for his authoritarian methods, Ōkubo is remembered for his political shrewdness and unwavering vision. His leadership during the turbulent early Meiji period was instrumental in transforming Japan from a feudal country into a modern, industrialised nation-state.
Count Soejima Taneomi (副島 種臣; 17 October 1828 – 31 January 1905) was a Japanese diplomat and politician active during…Count Soejima Taneomi (副島 種臣; 17 October 1828 – 31 January 1905) was a Japanese diplomat and politician active during the early Meiji period.
Yamamoto Kakuma (山本 覚馬; February 25, 1828 – December 28, 1892) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period, who went…Yamamoto Kakuma (山本 覚馬; February 25, 1828 – December 28, 1892) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period, who went on to become an educator and politician in the Meiji era.
Count Sano Tsunetami (佐野 常民; 28 December 1822 – 12 December 1902) was a Japanese statesman and founder of the Japanese…Count Sano Tsunetami (佐野 常民; 28 December 1822 – 12 December 1902) was a Japanese statesman and founder of the Japanese Red Cross Society. His son, Admiral Sano Tsuneha, was a leading figure in the establishment of the Scout Association of Japan.
Daiki Michishita (道下 大樹, Michishita Daiki; born 24 December 1975) is a Japanese former politician of the Constitutional…Daiki Michishita (道下 大樹, Michishita Daiki; born 24 December 1975) is a Japanese former politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Hanako Okada (Japanese: 岡田 華子), née Miura, (born August 2, 1980) is a Japanese lawyer and politician, who served as a…Hanako Okada (Japanese: 岡田 華子), née Miura, (born August 2, 1980) is a Japanese lawyer and politician, who served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2024 to 2026. She is a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.
Jiro Kimura (born 16 December 1967) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives of…Jiro Kimura (born 16 December 1967) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives of Japan.
Junichi Kanda (神田 潤一) (born September 27, 1970) is a Japanese politician and businessman. He is a member of the House…Junichi Kanda (神田 潤一) (born September 27, 1970) is a Japanese politician and businessman. He is a member of the House of Representatives (for two terms) belonging to the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Kanda has served as Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Justice, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Cabinet Office, Bank of Japan official, and Financial Services Agency official.
Akiko Okamoto (岡本章子) (married name: Yamashita (山下章子)) (born August 16, 1964) is a Japanese politician and a member of…Akiko Okamoto (岡本章子) (married name: Yamashita (山下章子)) (born August 16, 1964) is a Japanese politician and a member of the House of Representatives (three terms) for the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP). She has served as a member of the Sendai City Council (five terms) and as an executive officer of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.
Daijiro Kikuchi (菊池大二郎, Kikuchi Daijiro; born 9 July 1982) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Daijiro Kikuchi (菊池大二郎, Kikuchi Daijiro; born 9 July 1982) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2024. From 2019 to 2023, he was a member of the Yamagata Prefectural Assembly.
Shinji Oguma (小熊慎司, Oguma Shinji; born 16 June 1968) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of…Shinji Oguma (小熊慎司, Oguma Shinji; born 16 June 1968) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2012 to 2026. From 2010 to 2012, he was a member of the House of Councillors.
Hideyuki Mizunuma (水沼秀幸, Mizunuma Hideyuki; born 28 June 1990) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the…Hideyuki Mizunuma (水沼秀幸, Mizunuma Hideyuki; born 28 June 1990) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2024 to 2026. He is the vice chairman of the Constitutional Democratic Party in Chiba Prefecture.
Tsukasa Abe (阿部司, Abe Tsukasa; born 18 June 1982) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Tsukasa Abe (阿部司, Abe Tsukasa; born 18 June 1982) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2021. He has served as chairman of the Japan Innovation Party since 2024.
Hiroshi Kamiya (神谷 裕, Kamiya Hiroshi; born 10 August 1968) is a Japanese politician of the Centrist Reform Alliance and…Hiroshi Kamiya (神谷 裕, Kamiya Hiroshi; born 10 August 1968) is a Japanese politician of the Centrist Reform Alliance and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). Kamiya represents Hokkaido through the Hokkaido PR block. Kamiya first ran for office in the 2014 election as the DPJ candidate for the Hokkaido 10th district, losing against the incumbent Hisashi Inatsu. He would have a rematch with Inatsu in the 2017 general election. This time, he lost by a margin of 513 votes, making Hokkaido-10th one of the most marginal seats in the country. Nonetheless, Kamiya obtained enough votes to be elected through the CDP's PR block list. He won the district in 2024 after winning proportional representation again in 2021, and became one of 7 CRA candidates to survive the 2026 landslide in single member districts. Kamiya was reelected to his seat by a very narrow margin of 21 votes, making Hokkaido-10th the most marginal seat in the election. Before running for public office, Kamiya worked as a secretary in the offices of Councillor Eri Tokunaga and Representative Tadamasa Kodaira. He also previously worked in a fisheries cooperative.
Kaoru Fukuda (福田かおる, Fukuda Kaoru; born 10 May 1985) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Kaoru Fukuda (福田かおる, Fukuda Kaoru; born 10 May 1985) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2024. She previously worked at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and at the Japan External Trade Organization office in Bangkok, and served as secretary to Ken Saitō. Her registered family name is Kitaguchi (北口).
Kiyoshi Odawara (小田原 潔, Odawara Kiyoshi; born 23 May 1964) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Kiyoshi Odawara (小田原 潔, Odawara Kiyoshi; born 23 May 1964) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Ken Hirose (広瀬 建, Hirose Ken; born 22 January 1974) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who…Ken Hirose (広瀬 建, Hirose Ken; born 22 January 1974) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Shoko Sakurai (櫻井 祥子, Sakurai Shōko; born 31 January 1984) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Shoko Sakurai (櫻井 祥子, Sakurai Shōko; born 31 January 1984) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Councillors since 2025. In the 2024 general election, she was a candidate for the House of Representatives in Tokyo 1st district.
Kaori Ishikawa (石川かおり, Ishikawa Kaori; born 10 May 1984) is a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party in the…Kaori Ishikawa (石川かおり, Ishikawa Kaori; born 10 May 1984) is a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party in the House of Representatives, representing Hokkaido's 11th district after being elected for the first time. She was an analyst for Nippon BS Broadcasting before meeting her husband, Tomohiro Ishikawa, with whom she has two children. Ishikawa was born in Yokohama and graduated from the University of the Sacred Heart.
Hiroyoshi Sasakawa (born 29 August 1966) is a Japanese politician and businessman. He is the member of the House of…Hiroyoshi Sasakawa (born 29 August 1966) is a Japanese politician and businessman. He is the member of the House of Representatives for Gunma 3rd district belonging to the Liberal Democratic Party. In the 2026 Japanese general election, Sasakawa was reelected for his sixth term by a large margin (96,283 votes against his opponent's 60,204). This represented an improvement from his performance in the 2024 election when he won reelection to his fifth term by only 214 votes.
Yohei Onishi (大西洋平, Onishi Yohei; born 12 January 1978) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Yohei Onishi (大西洋平, Onishi Yohei; born 12 January 1978) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2024. He is the son of Hideo Ōnishi.
Karen Makishima (牧島かれん, Makishima Karen; born 1 November 1976) is a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal…Karen Makishima (牧島かれん, Makishima Karen; born 1 November 1976) is a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, she has been a member of the House of Representatives from the Kanagawa 17th district since 2012.
Shunsuke Ito (伊藤俊輔, Itō Shunsuke; born 5 August 1979) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of…Shunsuke Ito (伊藤俊輔, Itō Shunsuke; born 5 August 1979) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2017 to 2026. He is the son of Kosuke Ito.
Hisashi Matsumoto (松本 尚, Matsumoto Hisashi; born 3 June 1962) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Hisashi Matsumoto (松本 尚, Matsumoto Hisashi; born 3 June 1962) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Akiko Ōishi (Japanese: 大石 晃子, Hepburn: Ōishi Akiko; born 27 May 1977) is a Japanese politician. A former member of…Akiko Ōishi (Japanese: 大石 晃子, Hepburn: Ōishi Akiko; born 27 May 1977) is a Japanese politician. A former member of Reiwa Shinsengumi, she served as a member of the House of Representatives for the Kinki proportional representation block from 2021 to 2026. She was a co-representative and policy council chairperson of Reiwa Shinsengumi until her resignation on 9 July 2026.
Takashi Tachibana (立花 孝志, Tachibana Takashi; born 15 August 1967) is a Japanese social activist, journalist, accountant…Takashi Tachibana (立花 孝志, Tachibana Takashi; born 15 August 1967) is a Japanese social activist, journalist, accountant and politician who is the founder and former leader of the NHK Party (NHK党, NHK tō). A former assemblyman for the Funabashi City Assembly and the Katsushika Ward Assembly, he was elected to the House of Councillors in the July 2019 regular election on his party's proportional representation list. He automatically forfeited his seat on 10 October when he officially became a candidate in the October 2019 by-election to the House of Councillors for a majoritarian seat in Saitama.
Hiromasa Nakano (Japanese: 中野洋昌; born 4 January 1978) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Land…Hiromasa Nakano (Japanese: 中野洋昌; born 4 January 1978) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism from 2024 to 2025. He has been a member of the House of Representatives for Hyōgo 8th district since 2012.
Hidetake Usuki (臼木秀剛, Usuki Hidetake; born 28 March 1981) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Hidetake Usuki (臼木秀剛, Usuki Hidetake; born 28 March 1981) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2024. In the 2022 House of Councillors election, he was a candidate for the House of Councillors.
Taro Honda (本田太郎, Honda Taro; born 1 December 1973) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Taro Honda (本田太郎, Honda Taro; born 1 December 1973) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2017. From 2015 to 2017, he was a member of the Kyoto Prefectural Assembly.
Daichi Yamamoto (山本大地, Yamamoto Daichi; born 28 May 1991) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Daichi Yamamoto (山本大地, Yamamoto Daichi; born 28 May 1991) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2024. From 2022 to 2024, he was a city councillor of Wakayama.
Rintaro Ishibashi (石橋林太郎, Ishibashi Rintaro; born 2 May 1978) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House…Rintaro Ishibashi (石橋林太郎, Ishibashi Rintaro; born 2 May 1978) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2021. From 2015 to 2021, he was a member of the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly.
Hideyuki Yokoyama (横山 英幸, Yokoyama Hideyuki; born 13 May 1981) is a Japanese economist and politician who has served as…Hideyuki Yokoyama (横山 英幸, Yokoyama Hideyuki; born 13 May 1981) is a Japanese economist and politician who has served as the incumbent mayor of Osaka since 9 April 2023. He graduated from Kwansei Gakuin University with a degree in economics in 2004 and immediately began a career under the Osaka prefectural government. He was elected to the Osaka Prefectural Assembly in April 2011 and won further two terms in April 2015 and April 2019. He was elected as Osaka Restoration Association / Nippon Ishin No Kai candidate for mayor of Osaka in the April 2023 Osaka mayoral election following the previous incumbent, Ichirō Matsui's retirement from politics following the defeat of the Osaka Metropolis Plan in a 2020 referendum. He was reelected in 2026.
Norio Takeuchi (武内 則男, Takeuchi Norio; born 1958) is a former Japanese politician belonging to the Constitutional…Norio Takeuchi (武内 則男, Takeuchi Norio; born 1958) is a former Japanese politician belonging to the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. He served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) for Shikoku.
Ryu Matsumoto (松本 龍, Matsumoto Ryū; 17 May 1951 – 21 July 2018) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Ryu Matsumoto (松本 龍, Matsumoto Ryū; 17 May 1951 – 21 July 2018) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Yoshihiro Kawano (河野義博, Kawano Yoshihiro; born 1 December 1977) is a Japanese politician with the Komeito political…Yoshihiro Kawano (河野義博, Kawano Yoshihiro; born 1 December 1977) is a Japanese politician with the Komeito political party. He served in the House of Councillors as a national proportional representative from 2013 to 2025.
Katsuhiko Yamada (山田 勝彦) (born 19 July 1979) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.…Katsuhiko Yamada (山田 勝彦) (born 19 July 1979) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. He was elected to the National Diet of Japan for Nagasaki 3rd district in a 2024 by-election. He is a candidate in Nagasaki 2nd district in the 2026 Japanese general election.
Minoru Kihara (木原 稔, Kihara Minoru; born 12 August 1969) is a Japanese politician who has been the Chief Cabinet…Minoru Kihara (木原 稔, Kihara Minoru; born 12 August 1969) is a Japanese politician who has been the Chief Cabinet Secretary since 2025. He previously served as Minister of Defense from 2023 to 2024. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he also serves in the House of Representatives, and was previously Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense.
Sō Watanabe (Japanese: 渡辺 創, Hepburn: Watanabe Sō; born 3 October 1977) is a Japanese politician who has been the…Sō Watanabe (Japanese: 渡辺 創, Hepburn: Watanabe Sō; born 3 October 1977) is a Japanese politician who has been the president of the Centrist Reform Alliance since September 2026 and as a member of the House of Representatives since 2021. He was previously a member of the Constitutional Democratic and Democratic parties. Watanabe became the sole member of the CRA following the decision to disband the party in September 2026.
Hideshi Futori (Japanese: 太 栄志, romanized: Futori Hideshi; born 27 April 1977) is a Japanese politician who currently…Hideshi Futori (Japanese: 太 栄志, romanized: Futori Hideshi; born 27 April 1977) is a Japanese politician who currently serves as a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) in the House of Representatives, representing Kanagawa 13th district.
Rina Yoshikawa (吉川里奈, Yoshikawa Rina; born 25 May 1987) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Rina Yoshikawa (吉川里奈, Yoshikawa Rina; born 25 May 1987) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2024. She is a registered nurse and public health nurse.
Akiko Kamei (亀井 亜紀子, Kamei Akiko; born 14 May 1965) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party of…Akiko Kamei (亀井 亜紀子, Kamei Akiko; born 14 May 1965) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, and a former member of the House of Representatives. She is also a former member of People's New Party and of the House of Councillors. A native of Tokyo and graduate of Gakushuin University and Carleton University, she was elected for the first time in 2007 in the Shimane at-large district. Her father Hisaoki Kamei was a veteran member of the House of Representatives. She is married. Kamei contested the Shimane 1st district in 2017 election. While she lost against the longtime incumbent Hiroyuki Hosoda in the race, she received enough votes to be elected through the PR block.
Tadashi Maeda (前田 正, Maeda Tadashi; December 7, 1946 – October 28, 2013) was a Japanese politician who served two terms…Tadashi Maeda (前田 正, Maeda Tadashi; December 7, 1946 – October 28, 2013) was a Japanese politician who served two terms in the House of Representatives.
Shinji Yoshida (Japanese: 吉田 真次; born 6 July 1984) is a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party…Shinji Yoshida (Japanese: 吉田 真次; born 6 July 1984) is a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he has served as a member of the House of Representatives since early 2023. Yoshida was previously a three-term member of the Shimonoseki city council, serving as its 15th vice-chairman. Yoshida was first elected to the House of Representatives in Yamaguchi 4th, following the Assassination of Shinzo Abe.
Takashi Kii (城井崇, Kii Takashi; born 23 June 1973) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of…Takashi Kii (城井崇, Kii Takashi; born 23 June 1973) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2017 to 2026, having previously served from 2003 to 2005 and from 2009 to 2012. From 2011 to 2012, he served as parliamentary vice-minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology.
