Yuji Sawa (沢 雄二, Sawa Yūji; April 22, 1948 – January 3, 2025) was a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a…Yuji Sawa (沢 雄二, Sawa Yūji; April 22, 1948 – January 3, 2025) was a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Osaka and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004 after working at Fuji Television where he produced news and opinion shows. He died of pneumonia on January 3, 2025, at the age of 76.
Eiichi Yamashita (山下 栄一, Yamashita Eiichi; born August 18, 1947) is a former Japanese politician of the New Komeito…Eiichi Yamashita (山下 栄一, Yamashita Eiichi; born August 18, 1947) is a former Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, who served as a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Toyonaka, Osaka, he graduated from Kyoto University and received a master's degree in law from Osaka City University, he was elected for the first time in 1992.
Takashi Tanihata (谷畑 孝, Tanihata Takashi; born 10 January 1947) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House…Takashi Tanihata (谷畑 孝, Tanihata Takashi; born 10 January 1947) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Initiatives from Osaka party. A native of Osaka Prefecture and graduate of Kansai University he was elected for the first time in 1989 after an unsuccessful run in 1986.
Kenshiro Matsunami (松浪 健四郎, Matsunami Kenshirō; born 14 October 1946) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal…Kenshiro Matsunami (松浪 健四郎, Matsunami Kenshirō; born 14 October 1946) is a retired 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 Izumisano, Osaka, he attended Nippon Sport Science University, Eastern Michigan University and Nihon University. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1996 as a member of the New Frontier Party. After losing his seat in 2003, he was re-elected in 2005 and served until 2009 as a member of the LDP.
Masayuki Naoshima (直嶋 正行, Naoshima Masayuki; born October 23, 1945) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Masayuki Naoshima (直嶋 正行, Naoshima Masayuki; born October 23, 1945) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Ikeda, Osaka and graduate of Kobe University, he was elected for the first time in 1992 and served until the 2016 Japanese House of Councillors election. Before becoming a politician, he worked for Toyota and its union for a long time.
Shōgo Arai (荒井 正吾, Arai Shōgo; born 18 January 1945 in Yao, Osaka) is a Japanese politician and a former governor of…Shōgo Arai (荒井 正吾, Arai Shōgo; born 18 January 1945 in Yao, Osaka) is a Japanese politician and a former governor of Nara Prefecture in Japan.
Tadayoshi Ichida (市田 忠義, Ichida Tadayoshi; born December 28, 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of…Tadayoshi Ichida (市田 忠義, Ichida Tadayoshi; born December 28, 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Councillors for the proportional district from 1998 to 2022. He was the Secretary General of the Japanese Communist Party from 2000 to 2014.
Lee Myung-bak (pronounced /ˌmjʌŋ ˈbɑːk/; Korean: 이명박; pronounced [i.mjʌŋ.bak̚]; born 19 December 1941) is a South…Lee Myung-bak (pronounced /ˌmjʌŋ ˈbɑːk/; Korean: 이명박; pronounced [i.mjʌŋ.bak̚]; born 19 December 1941) is a South Korean politician and business executive who served as the tenth president of South Korea from 2008 to 2013. A member of the then Saenuri Party, he was the mayor of Seoul from 2002 to 2006. Before entering politics, he was the chief executive officer of Hyundai Engineering and Construction. Born in Osaka during the Empire of Japan, Lee graduated from Korea University. He is married to Kim Yoon-ok and has three daughters and one son. His older brother, Lee Sang-deuk, was a South Korean politician. He is a Christian attending Somang Presbyterian Church. In 2011, Lee received an honorary degree from Paris Diderot University. Lee altered the South Korean government's approach to North Korea, preferring a more hardline strategy in the wake of increased provocation from the North, though he was supportive of regional dialogue with Russia, China and Japan. Under Lee, South Korea increased its visibility and influence in the global scene, resulting in the hosting of the 2010 G-20 Seoul summit. However, significant controversy remains in Korea regarding high-profile government initiatives which have caused some factions to engage in civil opposition and protest against the incumbent government and President Lee's Saenuri Party (formerly the Grand National Party). The reformist faction within the Saenuri Party was at odds with Lee. He ended his five-year term on 24 February 2013, and was succeeded by Park Geun-hye. On 22 March 2018, Lee was arrested on charges of bribery, embezzlement, and tax evasion alleged to have occurred during his presidency. Prosecutors accused Lee of receiving bribes totaling 11 billion won and channeling assets of 35 billion won to an illicit slush fund. Shortly before his arrest, Lee posted a handwritten statement on Facebook denying the charges. Lee's arrest occurred roughly a year after the arrest of former president Park Geun-Hye, who was arrested on charges stemming from the 2016 South Korean political scandal. Lee was convicted on 5 October 2018 and sentenced to 15 years in prison. On 29 October 2020, the Korean Supreme Court upheld a 17-year sentence against Lee given to him by an appellate court. On 27 December 2022, President Yoon Suk-yeol granted Lee a special pardon, cancelling the remaining 15 years of the sentence.
Yoshimitsu Takashima (高嶋 良充, Takashima Yoshimitsu; born March 10, 1941) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic…Yoshimitsu Takashima (高嶋 良充, Takashima Yoshimitsu; born March 10, 1941) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Naokazu Takemoto (竹本 直一, Takemoto Naokazu; born 23 November 1940) is a former Japanese politician who served in the…Naokazu Takemoto (竹本 直一, Takemoto Naokazu; born 23 November 1940) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Keisuke Kihara (木原 敬介, Kihara Keisuke; born 5 November 1939 in Toyonaka) is a former mayor of Sakai in Japan. He was…Keisuke Kihara (木原 敬介, Kihara Keisuke; born 5 November 1939 in Toyonaka) is a former mayor of Sakai in Japan. He was first elected in 2001.
Kōki Chūma (中馬 弘毅, Chūma Kōki; born 8 October 1936) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of…Kōki Chūma (中馬 弘毅, Chūma Kōki; born 8 October 1936) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. A native of Osaka, Osaka and graduate of the University of Tokyo he was elected for the first time in 1976 as a member of the now-defunct party New Liberal Club. His father is Kaoru Chūma, former Mayor of Osaka.
Tetsundo Iwakuni (岩國 哲人, Iwakuni Tetsundo; 11 July 1936 – 6 October 2023) was a Japanese politician who, until 2009…Tetsundo Iwakuni (岩國 哲人, Iwakuni Tetsundo; 11 July 1936 – 6 October 2023) was a Japanese politician who, until 2009, represented Democratic Party of Japan as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Akio Nakajima (Japanese: 中島章夫; 27 January 1936 – 8 June 2024) was a Japanese politician. As a member of the Japan New…Akio Nakajima (Japanese: 中島章夫; 27 January 1936 – 8 June 2024) was a Japanese politician. As a member of the Japan New Party, the New Party Sakigake, and the Democratic Party, he served in the House of Representatives from 1993 to 1996 and in the House of Councillors from 2003 to 2004.
Kotaro Ikeguchi (13 July 1935 – 8 February 2019), known by his pen name Taichi Sakaiya, was a Japanese economist and…Kotaro Ikeguchi (13 July 1935 – 8 February 2019), known by his pen name Taichi Sakaiya, was a Japanese economist and author.
Jun'ya Yano (矢野 絢也, Yano Junya; born 27 April 1932) is a retired Japanese politician and political commentator who…Jun'ya Yano (矢野 絢也, Yano Junya; born 27 April 1932) is a retired Japanese politician and political commentator who served as the fourth leader of Komeito between 1986 and 1989. Over a decade after leaving politics, Yano has become a notable critic of the party and its religious partner Soka Gakkai.
Takafumi Isomura (磯村 隆文, Isomura Takafumi; 8 December 1930 – 26 November 2007) was a Japanese politician. He served as…Takafumi Isomura (磯村 隆文, Isomura Takafumi; 8 December 1930 – 26 November 2007) was a Japanese politician. He served as the former mayor of Osaka from 1995 until 2003 and professor emeritus of Osaka City University.
Akiyuki Nosaka (野坂 昭如, Nosaka Akiyuki; October 10, 1930 – December 9, 2015) was a Japanese novelist, journalist…Akiyuki Nosaka (野坂 昭如, Nosaka Akiyuki; October 10, 1930 – December 9, 2015) was a Japanese novelist, journalist, singer, lyricist, and member of the House of Councillors. As a broadcasting writer he used the name Yukio Aki (阿木 由紀夫, Aki Yukio) and his alias as a chanson singer was Claude Nosaka (クロード 野坂, Kurōdo Nosaka). He wrote the short story "Grave of the Fireflies" based on his experiences in the wake of American bombing during the Second World War; the short story has been adapted into both an animated film and a live-action film.
Akito Arima, KBE (有馬 朗人, Arima Akito; 13 September 1930 – 7 December 2020) was a Japanese nuclear physicist…Akito Arima, KBE (有馬 朗人, Arima Akito; 13 September 1930 – 7 December 2020) was a Japanese nuclear physicist, politician, and haiku poet, known for the interacting boson model.
Masajuro Shiokawa (塩川 正十郎, Shiokawa Masajūrō; 13 October 1921 – 19 September 2015) was a Japanese economist and…Masajuro Shiokawa (塩川 正十郎, Shiokawa Masajūrō; 13 October 1921 – 19 September 2015) was a Japanese economist and politician.
Ken Harada (原田 憲, Harada Ken; 12 February 1919 – 29 January 1997) was a member of the Diet of Japan from the Liberal…Ken Harada (原田 憲, Harada Ken; 12 February 1919 – 29 January 1997) was a member of the Diet of Japan from the Liberal Democratic Party until resigning his office on 24 January 1989 following alleged involvement in the Recruit scandal, where Harada admitted Recruit had given him donations, in the form of seasonal summer gifts, for ten years. While the donations were not illegal, they raised questions of political ethics which eventually led Harada to resign. As a member of the Diet, Harada served as Director-General of the Economic Planning Agency, and earned the close trust of Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita. He was the third minister to resign over the scandal. Harada had been appointed to direct the Economic Planning Agency only one month before his resignation. After party officials had already placed him as the chair of a committee in charge of investigating the Recruit stock scandal, where he had concluded that nothing illegal had taken place. In 1992, Harada backed Keizō Obuchi as new leader of the Liberal Democratic Party. Kōichirō Aino replaced Harada as Minister of Economic Planning.
Ryōichi Kuroda (黒田了一, Kuroda Ryōichi; 16 March 1911 – 24 July 2003) was a Japanese jurist and politician from Suita…Ryōichi Kuroda (黒田了一, Kuroda Ryōichi; 16 March 1911 – 24 July 2003) was a Japanese jurist and politician from Suita, Osaka.
Yonetaro Nakazawa (中沢 米太郎, Nakazawa Yonetarō; September 26, 1903 – February 5, 1984) was a Japanese track and field…Yonetaro Nakazawa (中沢 米太郎, Nakazawa Yonetarō; September 26, 1903 – February 5, 1984) was a Japanese track and field athlete. He competed at the 1928 Summer Olympics in the pole vault and decathlon and finished in sixth and 22nd place, respectively. He was the flag bearer for Japan at those Olympics. He also competed for Japan at the Far Eastern Championship Games (a forerunner to the Asian Games) and was the winner of the pole vault competition in 1923 in Osaka and again in 1927.
Yoshie Ōishi (Japanese: 大石ヨシエ; 12 February 1897 – 7 June 1971) was a Japanese politician. She was one of the first…Yoshie Ōishi (Japanese: 大石ヨシエ; 12 February 1897 – 7 June 1971) was a Japanese politician. She was one of the first group of women elected to the House of Representatives in 1946.
Tatsunosuke Takasaki (高碕達之助, Takasaki Tatsunosuke; 7 February 1885 – 24 February 1964) was a Japanese…Tatsunosuke Takasaki (高碕達之助, Takasaki Tatsunosuke; 7 February 1885 – 24 February 1964) was a Japanese businessman-politician.
Naotake Satō (佐藤 尚武, Satō Naotake; 30 October 1882 – 18 December 1971) was a Japanese diplomat and politician who…Naotake Satō (佐藤 尚武, Satō Naotake; 30 October 1882 – 18 December 1971) was a Japanese diplomat and politician who served as President of the House of Councillors from 1949 to 1953. He was a career diplomat who served as ambassador to Belgium and France in the 1930s. He briefly served as foreign minister under Prime Minister Senjuro Hayashi in 1937. He then served as ambassador to Italy and later to the Soviet Union, holding the latter position during most of the Second World War. After the war he was elected to the House of Councillors and served as its president.
Baron Kantarō Suzuki (鈴木 貫太郎, Suzuki Kantarō; 18 January 1868 – 17 April 1948) was a Japanese politician and admiral…Baron Kantarō Suzuki (鈴木 貫太郎, Suzuki Kantarō; 18 January 1868 – 17 April 1948) was a Japanese politician and admiral who served as prime minister of Japan from 7 April to 17 August 1945, during World War II. He was prime minister at the time of Japan's surrender on 15 August. Born in Osaka, Suzuki graduated from the Naval Academy and Staff College and served in the First Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars. He was promoted to full admiral in 1923 and served as chief of the naval general staff from 1925 to 1929. In 1945, Suzuki was appointed prime minister shortly after the start of the Battle of Okinawa and the resignation of prime minister Kuniaki Koiso. After the Potsdam Declaration by the Allies on 26 July, which called for Japan's unconditional surrender, Suzuki dismissed it with the word mokusatsu. On 14 August, Suzuki attended the conference at which emperor Hirohito made the decision to surrender over his divided cabinet. Japan surrendered the next day, and Suzuki resigned on 17 August.
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.
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.
Chisato Miyade (宮出千慧, Miyade Chisato; born 15 March 1985) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Chisato Miyade (宮出千慧, Miyade Chisato; born 15 March 1985) 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.
Shinichi Nakatani (中谷真一, Nakatani Shinichi; born 30 September 1976) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the…Shinichi Nakatani (中谷真一, Nakatani Shinichi; born 30 September 1976) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2012. From 2022 to 2023, he served as State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and State Minister of the Cabinet Office.
Sayuri Uenishi (上西 小百合) (born April 30, 1983) is a Japanese politician and tarento. She served two terms in the House…Sayuri Uenishi (上西 小百合) (born April 30, 1983) is a Japanese politician and tarento. She served two terms in the House of Representatives before being expelled from her party for skipping a Diet session, then getting caught in a couple of scandals.
Hirofumi Yoshimura (吉村 洋文, Yoshimura Hirofumi; born 17 June 1975) is a Japanese politician currently serving as the…Hirofumi Yoshimura (吉村 洋文, Yoshimura Hirofumi; born 17 June 1975) is a Japanese politician currently serving as the Leader of Japan Innovation Party since December 2024 and the governor of Osaka Prefecture since 2019. He has been described as a conservative.
Inoue Hidetaka (Japanese: 井上英孝) is a Japanese politician. He is a member of the House of Representatives representing…Inoue Hidetaka (Japanese: 井上英孝) is a Japanese politician. He is a member of the House of Representatives representing the Osaka 1st district. A member of the Japan Innovation Party (日本維新の会, Nippon Ishin no Kai), he was first elected in the 2012 Japanese general election and has been reelected to six consecutive terms most recently in the 2026 Japanese general election.
