Hirotaro Yamasaki (山崎 広太郎, Yamasaki Hirotarō; 3 September 1941 – 11 March 2021) was a Japanese politician. He served as…Hirotaro Yamasaki (山崎 広太郎, Yamasaki Hirotarō; 3 September 1941 – 11 March 2021) was a Japanese politician. He served as Mayor of Fukuoka from 1998 to 2006, a member of the House of Representatives from 1993 to 1996, and served on the Fukuoka City Council from 1971 to 1990.
Tomoyoshi Watanabe (渡辺 具能, Watanabe Tomoyoshi; born 7 April 1941) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal…Tomoyoshi Watanabe (渡辺 具能, Watanabe Tomoyoshi; born 7 April 1941) 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 Kasuya District, Fukuoka and graduate of Kyushu University, he worked at the Ministry of Transport from 1964 to 1994. After teaching at Fukuoka University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1996.
Tarō Asō (麻生 太郎, Asō Tarō; born 20 September 1940) is a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from…Tarō Asō (麻生 太郎, Asō Tarō; born 20 September 1940) is a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 2008 to 2009. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), he also served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance from 2012 to 2021. He was the longest-serving Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in Japanese history, having previously served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2005 to 2007 and as Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications from 2003 to 2005. He leads the Shikōkai faction within the LDP. Asō was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1979. He served in numerous ministerial roles before becoming Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in 2008, having also held that role temporarily in 2007. He was later elected LDP President in September 2008, becoming prime minister the same month. He led the LDP to the worst election result in its history a year later, marking only the second time in post-war Japan that a governing party had lost re-election, and resigned as the President of the party immediately afterwards. After the LDP returned to government following the 2012 election under Shinzo Abe, Asō was appointed to the Cabinet as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, retaining those roles when Yoshihide Suga replaced Abe in 2020. After leaving cabinet, he's served as vice president of the LDP under Fumio Kishida and as senior advisor to the LDP under Shigeru Ishiba. He is a noted power broker inside the party, leading the Shikōkai. Asō has been attached to a number of controversies in his career. He conceded in 2008 that his family had benefitted from forced labor during World War II, although he has refused to apologize for it. Asō also had a reputation for political gaffes and controversial remarks.
Makoto Koga (古賀 誠, Koga Makoto; born 5 August 1940) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Makoto Koga (古賀 誠, Koga Makoto; born 5 August 1940) 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) and formerly Minister of Transport. A native of Setaka, Fukuoka and graduate of Nihon University, he was elected for the first time in 1980 after an unsuccessful run in 1979. The character Tetsuya Gamon in the manga Akumetsu is based on him.
Wataru Asō (麻生 渡, Asō Wataru; 15 May 1939 – 15 March 2025) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician who served as the…Wataru Asō (麻生 渡, Asō Wataru; 15 May 1939 – 15 March 2025) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician who served as the Governor of Fukuoka from 1995 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he was also President of the National Governors Association (Japan) (全国知事会, Zenkoku Chiji-kai).
Shinya Izumi (泉 信也, Izumi Shin'ya; born August 1, 1937) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Shinya Izumi (泉 信也, Izumi Shin'ya; born August 1, 1937) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as the Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission in Shinzo Abe's cabinet from August 2007 to August 2008. He also served as a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet of Japan (parliament). Born in former town of Yoshii, Fukuoka, he graduated from Kyushu University with a degree in engineering. He was elected for the first time in 1992.
Sadao Fuchigami (渕上 貞雄, Fuchigami Sadao; 19 March 1937 – 13 October 2023) was a Japanese politician and member of the…Sadao Fuchigami (渕上 貞雄, Fuchigami Sadao; 19 March 1937 – 13 October 2023) was a Japanese politician and member of the House of Councillors for the Social Democratic Party. He died from ureteral cancer on 13 October 2023, at the age of 86.
Teiko Kihira (Japanese: 紀平 悌子, Hepburn: Kihira Teiko; February 2, 1928 – July 19, 2015) was a Japanese politician and…Teiko Kihira (Japanese: 紀平 悌子, Hepburn: Kihira Teiko; February 2, 1928 – July 19, 2015) was a Japanese politician and activist. Kihira was a member of the House of Councilors in Japan. She was involved in the League of Women Voters of Japan where she served in different capacities including vice chair and president of the group.
Mieno Shigeko (Japanese: みえの しげこ; 10 May 1926 – 27 November 2013), better known as Mieno Eiko (Japanese: 三重野栄子), was a…Mieno Shigeko (Japanese: みえの しげこ; 10 May 1926 – 27 November 2013), better known as Mieno Eiko (Japanese: 三重野栄子), was a Japanese politician for the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Born in Ōmuta, Fukuoka, Mieno enrolled into the Kyushu Imperial University, in 1951, and graduated from the Faculty of Economics also in 1951. In the same year, she served as general secretary and union member of the department store chain Iwataya. In 1988, she was appointed vice chairman of the Social Democratic Party. She also served as a member of the House of Councillors, in 1995 and 2001. Mieno died of chronic heart failure on 27 November 2013, aged 87.
Sekisuke Nakanishi (Japanese: 中西 績介 Nakanishi Sekisuke; 6 February 1926 – 24 January 2025) was a Japanese politician. A…Sekisuke Nakanishi (Japanese: 中西 績介 Nakanishi Sekisuke; 6 February 1926 – 24 January 2025) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Japan Socialist Party and the Social Democratic Party, he served in the House of Representatives from 1976 to 2003. Nakanishi died on 24 January 2025, at the age of 98.
Toshihiro Kennoki (Japanese: 剱木亨弘; 3 September 1901 - 29 November 1992) was a Japanese politician who served as…Toshihiro Kennoki (Japanese: 剱木亨弘; 3 September 1901 - 29 November 1992) was a Japanese politician who served as Minister of Education under Prime Minister Eisaku Satō from 1966 to 1967. Kennoki was an official in the Ministry of Education and rose to the position of vice minister. He also served as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary under Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida. He was elected to the House of Councilors in 1953 and was active as an expert in education policy. As minister of education under Satō he is credited for having been one of the central figures who helped drive the Central Council for Education to consider education reform.
Ken'ichi Kumagai (熊谷 憲一, Kumagai Ken'ichi; 2 October 1895 – 9 October 1956) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician. A…Ken'ichi Kumagai (熊谷 憲一, Kumagai Ken'ichi; 2 October 1895 – 9 October 1956) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician. A career official of the Home Ministry and related wartime agencies, he served as Governor of Okayama Prefecture and Yamaguchi Prefecture, as the 27th Director-General of the Hokkaidō Agency, and after the war as a member of the House of Representatives from Fukuoka 1st district.
Iwao Yamazaki (山崎巌, Yamazaki Iwao; 16 September 1894 – 26 June 1968) was a lawyer, politician and cabinet minister in…Iwao Yamazaki (山崎巌, Yamazaki Iwao; 16 September 1894 – 26 June 1968) was a lawyer, politician and cabinet minister in the early Shōwa period of Japan. His brother, Tatsunosuke Yamazaki was also a politician and cabinet minister, and his nephew Heihachiro Yamazaki was later a prominent member of the post-war Liberal-Democratic Party.
Yone Moriyama (Japanese: 森山ヨネ, 14 January 1891 – 30 October 1990) was a Japanese educator and politician. She was one…Yone Moriyama (Japanese: 森山ヨネ, 14 January 1891 – 30 October 1990) was a Japanese educator and politician. She was one of the first group of women elected to the House of Representatives in 1946.
Chiyo Kimura (Japanese: 木村チヨ; 12 September 1890 – 2 July 1956) was a Japanese politician. She was one of the first…Chiyo Kimura (Japanese: 木村チヨ; 12 September 1890 – 2 July 1956) was a Japanese politician. She was one of the first group of women elected to the House of Representatives in 1946.
Mitsujirō Ishii (石井 光次郎, Ishii Mitsujirō; 18 August 1889 – 20 September 1981) was a Japanese politician who served as…Mitsujirō Ishii (石井 光次郎, Ishii Mitsujirō; 18 August 1889 – 20 September 1981) was a Japanese politician who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1967 to 1969 and Deputy Prime Minister from 1957 to 1958, among other cabinet positions. He was a faction leader and candidate for the premiership in the early Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Born in Fukuoka Prefecture, Ishii had a business career in Asahi Shimbun Company before entering politics after the war. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1946 to 1947 and from 1952 to 1972. In 1955, he played a major role in the merger of Japan's conservative parties into the LDP and, in 1956, led a delegation to meet Taiwan's Chiang Kai-shek. Ishii served as cabinet minister at numerous times, beginning with a stint as Minister of Commerce and Industry in 1947. He was Deputy Prime Minister of Japan from 1957 to 1958 and Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1967 to 1969.
Seigō Nakano (中野 正剛, Nakano Seigō; 12 February 1886 – 27 October 1943) was a journalist and politician in the Empire of…Seigō Nakano (中野 正剛, Nakano Seigō; 12 February 1886 – 27 October 1943) was a journalist and politician in the Empire of Japan, known primarily for his involvement in far-right politics through his leadership of the Tōhōkai ("Far East Society") party, as well as his opposition to Hideki Tojo and eventual suicide under murky circumstances. Born in the city of Fukuoka, Nakano went on to attend Waseda University for four years, writing a number of articles for the journal Nihon oyobi Nihonjin (Japan and the Japanese) before graduating in July 1909. In these and in other speeches and articles he would produce, he expressed his political views. Nakano maintained an opposition to Japan's establishment throughout his life, criticizing in turn oligarchs such as Katsura Tarō, the Seiyūkai cabinet of Baron Tanaka Giichi, and eventually Hideki Tojo, the last of which ultimately cost him his life. Despite this opposition, however, Nakano would remain committed to working within political parties and the diet, rejecting the violent coups and putsches of young officers. Of great influence on his political thought was the Ōyōmei tradition. Embracing an intuitionist, autonomist view of the individual, Ōyōmei thought emphasized the following of what one identifies as "good" or "just", over wealth and obedience to corrupt authorities. In the case of Saigō Takamori, who Nakano held as a hero far greater than himself, Ōyōmei sanctified his rebellion against the Meiji Government as heroic. In his views of the Meiji Restoration, Nakano viewed the event as the result of popular discontent at the Shogunate's despotic rule. But though the leaders of the restoration had been united in a heroic effort against despotic government, a split occurred in which men valuing liberty such as Saigō were sidelined and instead, the Meiji oligarchy allowed Western ideas to flood into the country, eroding Japan's unique spirit and creating a system of oligarchic-bureaucratic rule which was opposed to popular will. During the 1st Constitutional Protection Movement, he relentlessly attacked the Katsura cabinet and the hanbatsu system of clique government as a writer at the Asahi Shimbun, earning him both a reputation as a liberal and the displeasure of the paper, leading him to launch the Tohojironsha paper in 1916. After election to the diet in 1920, Nakano would join a generation of younger, reformist politicians, eventually aligning with Inukai Tsuyoshi and the Kakushin Kurabu (Reform Club) in 1922, but later believed no serious change could be made outside of one of the two major parties and transfer to the Kenseikai in 1924. Following the Manchurian Incident, Nakano admired the plotters, contrasting their decisive action with the Tanaka cabinet's wavering between hardline policy and capitulation to the United States on China issues. To form a strong government to deal with the climate of crisis in the early 1930s, Nakano first attempted to organize a union of the Seiyukai and Minseito, then organizing the Kokumin Domei (Citizens’ Alliance) political party with Adachi Kenzo when he failed. Due to disagreements between the two personalities, however, Nakano split to form the Tōhōkai in 1936. Eventually, he would join the Taisei Yokusankai, but left in late 1940 in protest over the restraints imposed on it by conservative forces, primarily the zaibatsu and party politicians. He would go on to become a vicious opponent of Tōjō Hideki and his cabinet before committing ritual suicide while under government pressure in 1943.
Tatsunosuke Yamazaki (山崎 達之輔, Yamazaki Tatsunosuke; 19 June 1880 – 15 March 1948) was a Japanese was a politician and…Tatsunosuke Yamazaki (山崎 達之輔, Yamazaki Tatsunosuke; 19 June 1880 – 15 March 1948) was a Japanese was a politician and cabinet minister in the Taishō and early Shōwa periods of the Japan. His brother, Iwao Yamazaki was also a politician and cabinet minister, and his nephew Heihachirō Yamazaki was later a prominent member of the post-war Liberal-Democratic Party.
Masanori Katsu (勝 正憲, Katsu Masanori; 21 May 1879 – 11 November 1957) was a Japanese bureaucrat, politician and cabinet…Masanori Katsu (勝 正憲, Katsu Masanori; 21 May 1879 – 11 November 1957) was a Japanese bureaucrat, politician and cabinet minister in the Taishō and early Shōwa periods of the Japan.
Ishibashi Ningetsu (石橋 忍月, 1 September 1865 – 1 February 1926) was a Japanese writer and literature critic. His…Ishibashi Ningetsu (石橋 忍月, 1 September 1865 – 1 February 1926) was a Japanese writer and literature critic. His critique "Maihime", on the short story of the same name by Mori Ōgai, was an important dispute in literature during the early Meiji period. He was also among the contributors of Jogaku zasshi, an influential magazine of the Meiji era.
Viscount Suematsu Kenchō (末松 謙澄; 30 September 1855 – 5 October 1920) was a Japanese politician, intellectual and author…Viscount Suematsu Kenchō (末松 謙澄; 30 September 1855 – 5 October 1920) was a Japanese politician, intellectual and author who lived in the Meiji and Taishō periods. Apart from his activity in the Japanese government, he also wrote several important works on Japan in English. He was portrayed in a negative manner in Ryōtarō Shiba's novel Saka no Ue no Kumo.
Count Kaneko Kentarō (金子 堅太郎, Kentarō Kaneko; 4 February 1853 – 16 May 1942) was a statesman, diplomat, and legal…Count Kaneko Kentarō (金子 堅太郎, Kentarō Kaneko; 4 February 1853 – 16 May 1942) was a statesman, diplomat, and legal scholar in Meiji period Japan. A graduate of Harvard Law School, he drew on his connections in the American legal community over the course of his long career in Japanese government, particularly in his role helping to draft the new Meiji Constitution (Imperial Japanese Constitution). During the Russo-Japanese War, he engaged in promotion activities in the United States and contributed to Japan's victory. Kaneko was one of the most influential proponents of a Japanese-American alliance in Imperial Japan. In his later years, he opposed and worked to avoid the Pacific War, but his attempts failed. He was the first person to translate Edmund Burke into Japanese and is considered the first Burkean conservative in Japan.
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.
Yoko Wanibuchi (鰐淵 洋子, Wanibuchi Yōko; born 10 April 1972) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of…Yoko Wanibuchi (鰐淵 洋子, Wanibuchi Yōko; born 10 April 1972) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives from 2017 to 2026 as a member of the Komeito Party. She was previously served in the House of Councillors from 2004 to 2010.
Yoshinori Suematsu (末松 義規, Suematsu Yoshinori; born 5 December 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional…Yoshinori Suematsu (末松 義規, Suematsu Yoshinori; born 5 December 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Kuniyoshi Noda is a Japanese politician who is a member of the House of Councillors of Japan. Noda was part of the…Kuniyoshi Noda is a Japanese politician who is a member of the House of Councillors of Japan. Noda was part of the CDP's shadow cabinet 'Next Cabinet' as the shadow Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications.
