Ken'ichirō Saitō (born 25 December 1980) is a Japanese businessman, politician and YouTuber. He is a member of the…Ken'ichirō Saitō (born 25 December 1980) is a Japanese businessman, politician and YouTuber. He is a member of the House of Councillors since 2022, formerly of the political organization NHK Party. He is also the former accounting officer of the Horiemon New Party.
Tomu Tanigawa (谷川とむ, Tanigawa Tomu; born 27 April 1976) is a Japanese politician. He has been a member of the House of…Tomu Tanigawa (谷川とむ, Tanigawa Tomu; born 27 April 1976) is a Japanese politician. He has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2026, having previously served from 2014 to 2024. He is the son of Shuzen Tanigawa.
Tarō Yamamoto (山本 太郎, Yamamoto Tarō; born 24 November 1974) is a Japanese politician and former actor, who is the…Tarō Yamamoto (山本 太郎, Yamamoto Tarō; born 24 November 1974) is a Japanese politician and former actor, who is the founder and former leader of the anti-establishment political party Reiwa Shinsengumi. Yamamoto served in the House of Councillors representing Tokyo until his resignation in 2026, and previously served in the House of Representatives from 2021 to 2022. He unsuccessfully ran in the 2020 Tokyo gubernatorial election as a candidate under Reiwa.
Eikei Suzuki (鈴木 英敬, Suzuki Eikei; born 15 August 1974) is a Japanese politician and the former governor of Mie…Eikei Suzuki (鈴木 英敬, Suzuki Eikei; born 15 August 1974) is a Japanese politician and the former governor of Mie Prefecture located in Kansai region of Japan. Since 2021 he has been a Member of the House of Representatives, representing Mie's 4th district.
Yoshikazu Higashitani (東谷 義和, Higashitani Yoshikazu; born October 6, 1971), also known as GaaSyy (ガーシー, Gāshī), is a…Yoshikazu Higashitani (東谷 義和, Higashitani Yoshikazu; born October 6, 1971), also known as GaaSyy (ガーシー, Gāshī), is a Japanese politician, YouTuber, and businessman. He was elected into the House of Councillors in 2022 as part of the NHK Party, but was expelled on March 15, 2023 for not attending any sessions of Parliament. The following day, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department sought an arrest warrant for alleged defamation of celebrities in his YouTube videos. On June 4, 2023, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Higashitani immediately upon his arrival at Narita Airport on suspicion of habitually threatening celebrities and others.
Hisayuki Fujii (藤井比早之, Fujii Hisayuki; born 11 September 1971) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the…Hisayuki Fujii (藤井比早之, Fujii Hisayuki; born 11 September 1971) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2012. He served as deputy minister of foreign affairs under Shigeru Ishiba between 2024 and 2025.
Michael Kawajo (川条 志嘉, Kawajō Shika; born 25 January 1970) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Michael Kawajo (川条 志嘉, Kawajō Shika; born 25 January 1970) 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).
Norihiro Nakayama (中山 展宏, Nakayama Norihiro; born 16 September 1968) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Norihiro Nakayama (中山 展宏, Nakayama Norihiro; born 16 September 1968) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Takae Itō (born January 13, 1968, in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of…Takae Itō (born January 13, 1968, in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan since 2016. She represents the Hyogo at-large district and is a member of the Komeito party.
Kōzō Akino is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan, since 2010. He…Kōzō Akino is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan, since 2010. He represents the National proportional representation block as a member of the Komeito party. He currently serves on the following committees: Committee on Financial Affairs (Director) Committee on Discipline Special Committee on Okinawa and Northern Problems Deliberative Council on Political Ethics
Masaki Ogushi (大串正樹, Ogushi Masaki; born 20 January 1966) is a Japanese politician serving as state minister of…Masaki Ogushi (大串正樹, Ogushi Masaki; born 20 January 1966) is a Japanese politician serving as state minister of economy, trade and industry and state minister of the Cabinet Office since 2024. He has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2012.
Yasutoshi Nishimura (西村 康稔, Nishimura Yasutoshi; born 15 October 1962) is a Japanese politician who serves as chairman…Yasutoshi Nishimura (西村 康稔, Nishimura Yasutoshi; born 15 October 1962) is a Japanese politician who serves as chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Election Strategy Committee since 2026. He was previously Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry from 2022 to 2023 and as Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy from 2019 to 2021. He has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2003, representing Hyogo 9th district. Nishimura resigned from his cabinet posts in December 2023 amid allegations of a slush fund involving himself and several other ministers and members of the LDP.
Tsukasa Kobiki (木挽 司, Kobiki Tsukasa; born 18 October 1958) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Tsukasa Kobiki (木挽 司, Kobiki Tsukasa; born 18 October 1958) 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 Nishinomiya, Hyogo and graduate of Kansai University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005 after serving in the city assembly of Itami, Hyogo.
Hideya Sugio is a Japanese politician who is a member of the House of Councillors of Japan. Sugio is part of the CDP's…Hideya Sugio is a Japanese politician who is a member of the House of Councillors of Japan. Sugio is part of the CDP's shadow cabinet 'Next Cabinet' as the shadow Minister in Charge of the Cabinet.
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.
Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi (山口 壯, Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi; born 3 October 1954) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi (山口 壯, Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi; born 3 October 1954) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and a member of the House of Representatives. He also served as Minister of the Environment from October 2021 to August 2022.
Yūji Kuroiwa (黒岩 祐治, Kuroiwa Yūji; born 26 September 1954) is a Japanese politician and the governor of Kanagawa…Yūji Kuroiwa (黒岩 祐治, Kuroiwa Yūji; born 26 September 1954) is a Japanese politician and the governor of Kanagawa Prefecture located in Kantō region of Japan.
Toshiyuki Adachi (Japanese: 足立 敏之; May 20, 1954 – December 27, 2024) was a Japanese politician who served as a Liberal…Toshiyuki Adachi (Japanese: 足立 敏之; May 20, 1954 – December 27, 2024) was a Japanese politician who served as a Liberal Democratic Party member of the House of Councillors of Japan from 2016, after serving as vice minister for engineering affairs. He represented the National proportional representation block. At the time of his death, he was serving on the following committees: Committee on Land and Transport (Director) Special Committee on Disasters (Director) Research Committee on National Life and Economy Committee on Audit
Kuniko Tanioka (谷岡 郁子, Tanioka Kuniko; born 1954) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member…Kuniko Tanioka (谷岡 郁子, Tanioka Kuniko; born 1954) 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 Osaka Prefecture, she graduated from the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada and gained a bachelor's degree in developmental biology. She was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2007. She is president of Shigakkan University.
Keiji Yamada (山田 啓二, Yamada Keiji; born 5 April 1954) is a Japanese politician and former Governor of Kyoto Prefecture.…Keiji Yamada (山田 啓二, Yamada Keiji; born 5 April 1954) is a Japanese politician and former Governor of Kyoto Prefecture. A native of Hyōgo Prefecture and 1977 graduate of the University of Tokyo, he had worked at the Ministry of Home Affairs since 1977 and served as the vice governor of Kyoto Prefecture before elected governor for the first time in 2002. In 2011 he also took over from Wataru Asō as President of the National Governors Association. Yamada ended his 16-year tenure as governor in April 2018. While stating that he had accomplished his goals in office, Yamada was believed to be preparing for a run in the 2019 House of Councillors election.
Kizō Hisamoto (久元 喜造, Hisamoto Kizō) is a Japanese politician and the current mayor of Kobe, the capital city of Hyōgo…Kizō Hisamoto (久元 喜造, Hisamoto Kizō) is a Japanese politician and the current mayor of Kobe, the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture in Japan.
Masahito Moriyama (盛山 正仁, Moriyama Masahito) is a Japanese politician. He is a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic…Masahito Moriyama (盛山 正仁, Moriyama Masahito) is a Japanese politician. He is a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and a former member of the House of Representatives in the National Diet (national legislature). A native of Nishinomiya, Hyogo, and an alumnus of the University of Tokyo, he joined the Ministry of Transport in 1977. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2005 but lost his seat in the 2009 General Election, regaining it in 2012. During his time out of office, he matriculated as a postgraduate student and studied international law and business at Kobe University, which is located in his constituency. He earned a Master’s degree in Law in 2011, a PhD in International Law in 2013, and an additional PhD in Business Studies in 2014. In 2024, Moriyama won a no-confidence motion issued by the Constitutional Democratic Party after reports emerged that he received a letter of recommendation and campaign support from an organization linked to the Unification Church during the 2021 Japanese general election. On 10 April 2024, Moriyama was among the guests invited to the state dinner hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden in honor of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House.
Mitsue Kondo (近藤 三津枝, Kondō Mitsue; born 14 June 1953) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…Mitsue Kondo (近藤 三津枝, Kondō Mitsue; born 14 June 1953) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Hyōgo and graduate of Konan University, she was elected for the first time in 2005.
Kenji Kitahashi (北橋 健治, Kitahashi Kenji; born 19 March 1953, in Nishinomiya) is a Japanese politician and a former…Kenji Kitahashi (北橋 健治, Kitahashi Kenji; born 19 March 1953, in Nishinomiya) is a Japanese politician and a former mayor of Kitakyushu, Japan. A graduate of the University of Tokyo, he was elected to the House of Representatives in Diet of Japan (parliament) for the first time in 1986 as a member of Democratic Socialist Party, which later became part of Democratic Party of Japan. After losing his seat in 1990, he was re-elected in 1993. In February 2007 he was elected mayor of Kitakyushu and went on to serve four terms, until 2023.
Shigeharu Aoyama (青山繁晴; born 25 July 1952) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives. Between…Shigeharu Aoyama (青山繁晴; born 25 July 1952) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives. Between 2016 and 2026, he was in the House of Councillors of Japan. He represented the National proportional representation block. He has served on the Committee on Economy and Industry (as Director); Committee on Budget; and on the Special Committee on Official Development Assistance and Related Matters.
Yuriko Koike (Japanese: 小池 百合子, Hepburn: Koike Yuriko; born 15 July 1952) is a Japanese politician who has served as…Yuriko Koike (Japanese: 小池 百合子, Hepburn: Koike Yuriko; born 15 July 1952) is a Japanese politician who has served as the Governor of Tokyo since 2016. Previously, she also served as a member of the House of Councillors from 1992 to 1993, a member of the House of Representatives from 1993 to 2016, Minister of the Environment under Junichiro Koizumi from 2003 to 2006, and Minister of Defense under Shinzo Abe between July and August 2007. Born and raised in Ashiya, a wealthy, small, and popular city near Kobe in Hyōgo Prefecture, Koike graduated from Cairo University in Cairo, Egypt in 1976, and served as a member of the House of Representatives of Japan from 1993 until 2016, when she resigned to run for Governor of Tokyo. Previously, she also served as the Minister of the Environment under Junichiro Koizumi's cabinet from 2003 to 2006 and briefly as Minister of Defense under the first cabinet of Shinzo Abe in between July and August 2007. Koike was elected Governor of Tokyo in 2016, becoming the metropolis' first female governor. Koike was re-elected in 2020 and 2024, winning 59.7% and 42.8% of the popular vote respectively. Considered one of the most high-profile and well-known Japanese politicians, Koike has been frequently mentioned as holding Prime Ministerial ambitions. She ran in the 2008 Liberal Democratic Party leadership election, becoming the first woman to run for the leadership of a major Japanese political party, however she came in third place losing to Tarō Asō. In 2017, Koike left the LDP amid much media attention and launched two parties: the national party, Kibō no Tō (希望の党/Party of Hope) and the regional party Tomin First no Kai (都民ファーストの会/Tokyoites First Party). Kibō no Tō contested the 2017 general election with Koike as a leader, however the party underperformed expectations and mostly disappeared after merging with the Democratic Party for the People in 2018. The same year, Koike stepped down as leader of Tomin First and officially became independent. However, Koike continues to endorse and campaign for Tomin First candidates in Tokyo and the party still makes frequent use of her image and policies. Koike has come under some scrutiny from Japanese liberals and Koreans in both Japan and Korea for her refusal to acknowledge the occurrence of 1923 Kantō Massacre, which mainly targeted ethnic Koreans, as well as her association with groups that are often labeled anti-Korean.
Koichi Tani (谷 公一, Tani Kōichi; born 28 January 1952) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives…Koichi Tani (谷 公一, Tani Kōichi; born 28 January 1952) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. A native of Muraoka, Hyōgo and graduate of Meiji University, he was elected for the first time in 2003.
Saburo Komoto (河本 三郎, Kōmoto Saburō; 7 September 1950 – 21 August 2025) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Saburo Komoto (河本 三郎, Kōmoto Saburō; 7 September 1950 – 21 August 2025) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Takashi Yamamoto (山本 孝史, Yamamoto Takashi; 7 July 1949 – 22 December 2007) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic…Takashi Yamamoto (山本 孝史, Yamamoto Takashi; 7 July 1949 – 22 December 2007) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Kunio Hiramatsu (平松 邦夫, Hiramatsu Kunio; born 15 November 1948) is a Japanese politician who served as the mayor of…Kunio Hiramatsu (平松 邦夫, Hiramatsu Kunio; born 15 November 1948) is a Japanese politician who served as the mayor of Osaka in Japan. He was elected in 2007 with centre-left support from the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), People's New Party and the Social Democratic Party, defeating the centre-right supported incumbent Jun'ichi Seki by 50,000 votes. Hiramatsu unsuccessfully ran for re-election in Osaka's mayoral election on 27 November 2011, when his challenger was the former Osaka Governor Tōru Hashimoto. Despite support from both major Japanese national parties (the DPJ and the Liberal Democratic Party), and the Japanese Communist Party retracting their candidate to support his re-election bid, Hiramatsu lost to Hashimoto by a margin of well over 200,000 votes.
Kisaburo Tokai (渡海 紀三朗, Tokai Kisaburō; born 11 February 1948 in Takasago, Hyōgo) is a former Japanese politician who…Kisaburo Tokai (渡海 紀三朗, Tokai Kisaburō; born 11 February 1948 in Takasago, Hyōgo) is a former Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology under Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda from 2007 to 2008.
Masashi Fujiwara (藤原 正司, Fujiwara Masashi; April 1, 1946 – September 15, 2018) was a Japanese politician who was a…Masashi Fujiwara (藤原 正司, Fujiwara Masashi; April 1, 1946 – September 15, 2018) was a Japanese politician who was a member of the Democratic Party of Japan. He was a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kanzaki, Hyōgo and high school graduate, he was elected for the first time in 2001. Fujiwara died of liver cancer on September 15, 2018.
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).
Masao Akamatsu (赤松 正雄, Akamatsu Masao; born 26 November 1945) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a…Masao Akamatsu (赤松 正雄, Akamatsu Masao; born 26 November 1945) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Himeji, Hyōgo and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1993 after an unsuccessful run in 1990.
Toshizō Ido (井戸 敏三, Ido Toshizō; born 10 August 1945) is a Japanese politician and the 48th - 52nd governor of Hyōgo…Toshizō Ido (井戸 敏三, Ido Toshizō; born 10 August 1945) is a Japanese politician and the 48th - 52nd governor of Hyōgo Prefecture in Japan. He became the Governor of Hyōgo Prefecture in 2001, a position he held for 5 terms over 20 years. He is a native of Tatsuno, Hyōgo and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he joined the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1968.
Masanori Tanimoto (Japanese: 谷本 正憲, Hepburn: Tanimoto Masanori; born 16 April 1945) is a Japanese politician who was…Masanori Tanimoto (Japanese: 谷本 正憲, Hepburn: Tanimoto Masanori; born 16 April 1945) is a Japanese politician who was the governor of Ishikawa Prefecture between 1994 and 2022, serving seven terms in total.
Shigeo Omae (大前 繁雄, Ōmae Shigeo; born 28 June 1942) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Shigeo Omae (大前 繁雄, Ōmae Shigeo; born 28 June 1942) 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).
Yoshitada Konoike (鴻池 祥肇, Konoike Yoshitada; November 28, 1940 – December 25, 2018) was a Japanese politician of the…Yoshitada Konoike (鴻池 祥肇, Konoike Yoshitada; November 28, 1940 – December 25, 2018) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature), formerly Minister of State for Disaster Management. A native of Amagasaki, Hyōgo and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1986 after an unsuccessful run in 1983. After losing his seat in 1993, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1995 and is currently serving his fourth 6-year term.
Tatsuo Yata (矢田 立郎, Yata Tatsuo; born 7 February 1940) is a Japanese politician who became the mayor of Kobe, the…Tatsuo Yata (矢田 立郎, Yata Tatsuo; born 7 February 1940) is a Japanese politician who became the mayor of Kobe, the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture in Japan from 2001 until 2013. He was first elected in October 2001 and won the re-election four years later.
Torao Tokuda (Japanese: 徳田虎雄 Tokuda Torao; 17 February 1938 – 10 July 2024) was a Japanese politician. A member of the…Torao Tokuda (Japanese: 徳田虎雄 Tokuda Torao; 17 February 1938 – 10 July 2024) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party and later the Liberal League, he served in the House of Representatives from 1990 to 1996 and again from 2000 to 2005.
Shuzen Tanigawa (谷川 秀善, Tanigawa Shūzen; born February 3, 1934) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Shuzen Tanigawa (谷川 秀善, Tanigawa Shūzen; born February 3, 1934) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Chikage Oogi (扇 千景, Ōgi Chikage), real name Hiroko Hayashi (林 寛子, Hayashi Hiroko) (born Hiroko Kimura (木村 寛子, Kimura…Chikage Oogi (扇 千景, Ōgi Chikage), real name Hiroko Hayashi (林 寛子, Hayashi Hiroko) (born Hiroko Kimura (木村 寛子, Kimura Hiroko); 10 May 1933 – 9 March 2023), was a Japanese actress and politician. During her 30-year-long political career, she served in various important governmental posts, and became the first female President of the House of Councillors, a role she held from 2004 to 2007. Her pseudonymous surname is also spelled Ogi, Ōgi and Ohgi for a variety of Hepburn romanization systems. She herself used Oogi.
Kiichi Inoue (井上 喜一, Inoue Kiichi; 24 May 1932 – 16 December 2010) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Kiichi Inoue (井上 喜一, Inoue Kiichi; 24 May 1932 – 16 December 2010) was a 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 Kasai, Hyōgo and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he joined the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 1955. He was elected to the House of Representatives for Hyōgo 3rd district for the first time in 1986. He later represented the Hyōgo 4th district, and served as a House member until his defeat in 2009.
Takako Doi (土井 たか子, Doi Takako; 30 November 1928 – 20 September 2014) was a Japanese politician who served as leader of…Takako Doi (土井 たか子, Doi Takako; 30 November 1928 – 20 September 2014) was a Japanese politician who served as leader of the Japan Socialist Party (JSP) from 1986 to 1991 and later its successor the Social Democratic Party (SDP) from 1996 to 2003. As leader of the JSP, she became the first female leader of a major Japanese political party, and the country's first female opposition leader. Doi's leadership and the result of the 1989 Upper House elections are considered watershed moments for female political participation in Japan. She led the party to great success in the 1989 and 1990 elections. After the 1993 election, she was elected as the first woman to serve as speaker of the House of Representatives, serving in that office from 1993 to 1996. She then led the diminished SDP from 1996 until her resignation after the 2003 election.
Hiroko Yasutake (安武 洋子, Yasutake Hiroko; 26 July 1928 – 8 August 2019) was a Japanese politician. Originally a public…Hiroko Yasutake (安武 洋子, Yasutake Hiroko; 26 July 1928 – 8 August 2019) was a Japanese politician. Originally a public servant in Akashi, Hyōgo, she became active as a prefectural and regional trade union branch leader and a member of the Japanese Communist Party Central Committee, before serving in the House of Councillors for the Hyōgo at-large district from 1974 until 1986.
