Japan

Yoichi Mizutani is a Japanese politician currently serving as the Mayor of Abashiri in Hokkaido, a position he has held since 2010. Born in Abashiri in 1963, he graduated from Waseda University and later completed graduate studies at Hokkaido University. Before entering local politics, he worked for the JA Hokkaido Central Union as an agricultural cooperative auditor. He served three terms as a member of the Abashiri City Council starting in 1999 before being elected mayor. During his tenure, he has focused on municipal management and crisis response, including implementing salary reductions for city officials during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wataru Hatakeyama is a Japanese politician currently serving as the Mayor of Akabira City in Hokkaido. Born in Akabira in 1968, he spent his early career as a municipal employee, eventually serving as a section chief and labor union leader within the city government. He was first elected mayor in April 2019 after campaigning on a platform of increased transparency in policy decision-making. He successfully secured re-election in 2023, continuing his focus on local governance and community dialogue.

Hirosuke Imazu is a Japanese politician currently serving as the Mayor of Asahikawa, Hokkaido. Born in Asahikawa, he graduated from Chuo University before working as a secretary for his father, former lawmaker Hiroshi Imazu, and later for Diet member Tsuneo Nishime. He was first elected mayor in 2021 and secured a second term in 2025. His administration has focused on policies such as free medical care for students, the promotion of low-cost carrier routes, and the development of a new municipal arena. Imazu has faced public scrutiny regarding his past interactions with the Unification Church and his involvement in local policy debates concerning family education support ordinances.

Makoto Kitamura is a Japanese politician currently serving as the Mayor of Ashibetsu in Hokkaido. Born in 1979, he graduated from the College of Engineering at Nihon University in 2002 and initially worked for Kitamura Shoten Co., Ltd. He began his political career in 2015 when he was first elected to the Ashibetsu City Council, serving three consecutive terms and eventually becoming the council chair in 2023. In 2025, he was elected mayor unopposed. His policy priorities include addressing population decline, supporting child-rearing generations, enhancing education, and promoting local commerce and industry.

Hisashi Sakurai is a Japanese politician currently serving as the Mayor of Bibai in Hokkaido. Born in 1983, he graduated from Hokkaido University and previously worked in sales for Johnson & Johnson, followed by roles in medical advertising and hospital administration. He was elected mayor in June 2023, becoming the youngest mayor in Hokkaido at the time. His administration is noted for fulfilling campaign promises such as providing cash benefits to all citizens and implementing fiscal measures to support local commercial facilities.

Ryuichi Yokota is a Japanese politician currently serving as the Mayor of Chitose in Hokkaido. Born in Sunagawa, Hokkaido, he graduated from the Muroran Institute of Technology. Yokota spent the majority of his career as a civil servant within the Chitose City government, eventually serving as the director of the Chitose City Hospital and holding various administrative roles, including general manager and planning manager. He served two terms as the Deputy Mayor of Chitose under Mayor Kotaro Yamaguchi before being elected as mayor in April 2023, where he ran unopposed to succeed the outgoing administration.

Keita Horii is a Japanese politician currently serving as the Mayor of Date in Hokkaido. Born in 1980 in Date, he graduated from Kyoto University of Foreign Studies and later completed a graduate program at Doshisha University. Before entering politics, he worked for 17 years at the audit firm Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. In 2023, he was elected as the Mayor of Date after running on a platform focused on enhancing support for child-rearing households, including the provision of free medical care for students up to high school age and free school lunches for third children and beyond.

Yoshihito Goto is a Japanese politician currently serving as the Mayor of Ebetsu, Hokkaido. Born in Bibai, Hokkaido, he graduated from the Kushiro Campus of Hokkaido University of Education. He spent his career as a civil servant within the Ebetsu municipal government, holding various leadership roles including Director of the Economic Department and Director of the General Affairs Department, before serving as Deputy Mayor. In 2023, he was elected as the Mayor of Ebetsu, assuming office on May 1, 2023.

Yutaka Harada is a Japanese politician currently serving as the Mayor of Eniwa in Hokkaido, a position he has held since 2009. Born in Mikasa, Hokkaido, he graduated from Hokkaido University with a degree in law. Before entering politics, he worked at the Eniwa City Hall. Harada served four terms as a member of the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly, during which time he was affiliated with the Liberal Democratic Party. Since his election as mayor, he has been re-elected multiple times, often running unopposed. He is a member of the Association of Mayors for Establishing 'Meiji Day'.

Masayuki Tanaka is a Japanese politician currently serving as the Mayor of Fukagawa, Hokkaido. Born in Fukagawa, he graduated from the Muroran Institute of Technology and spent many years working for the Fukagawa municipal government in the urban planning and architecture departments. He served as a member of the Fukagawa City Council for five terms, including a tenure as Deputy Chair, before being elected mayor in December 2022. His political platform focuses on expanding support for childcare, medical care, and welfare, as well as promoting corporate investment in the city.

Taketoshi Kita is a Japanese politician currently serving as the Mayor of Furano in Hokkaido. Born in 1954, he began his career in agriculture before entering local politics. He served as a member of the Furano City Council starting in 1995 and held the position of City Council Chairman from 2007 to 2017. In 2018, he was elected Mayor of Furano and has since secured re-election, continuing his tenure as the city's leader. He also serves as the chairman of the Furano City Agricultural Successor Development Organization.

Jun Oizumi is a Japanese politician and the current Mayor of Hakodate, Hokkaido. Born in Ebetsu, he graduated from the Waseda University Faculty of Law and spent his career as a local government official in Hakodate, serving as the director of the Tourism Department and the Health and Welfare Department. He was elected mayor in April 2023 after running as an independent candidate, campaigning on policies to address population decline, support child-rearing, and revitalize the local economy. He is the older brother of the well-known Japanese actor and television personality Yo Oizumi.

Takahiro Kato is a Japanese politician currently serving as a member of the House of Representatives for Hokkaido's 1st district. Born in Bibai, Hokkaido, in 1983, he previously worked in telecommunications and advertising before founding a bakery business. Kato began his political career as a member of the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly, where he served three terms starting in 2015. After an unsuccessful bid for the national legislature in 2024, he was elected to the House of Representatives in February 2026 as a candidate for the Liberal Democratic Party.

Yusuke Takahashi is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives for the Liberal Democratic Party. Born in Sapporo, he is the grandson of former Sapporo Mayor Yosaku Harada. After graduating from Nihon University, he worked in marketing and served as a secretary to lawmakers. Following a period of electoral challenges, he secured his seat in the 2026 general election. He is active in regional politics, focusing on local development and party policy initiatives within Hokkaido.

Hirohisa Takagi is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives. A former Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly member, he has held positions including State Minister of Reconstruction. His career includes experience as a police officer and a certified public accountant. Takagi advocates for constitutional reform, including the formal recognition of the Self-Defense Forces, and supports a proactive national security policy. He emphasizes social security reform and the development of a sustainable society for all generations.

Hiroyuki Nakamura is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives, currently in his sixth term. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he has held significant government roles including State Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and State Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Throughout his career, he has focused on regional development in Hokkaido, infrastructure improvements, and active fiscal policy. He is known for his conservative political stances, including support for constitutional amendment and opposition to selective separate surnames for married couples. Nakamura previously served in the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly and has been a prominent advocate for local economic revitalization and educational investment.

Yoshiaki Wada is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives. A graduate of Waseda University, he previously worked at Mitsubishi Corporation, gaining extensive international experience. He entered politics following the death of his father-in-law, Nobutaka Machimura, and was first elected in 2016. Wada has held positions including Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Cabinet Office and Assistant to the Minister of Defense. He advocates for constitutional reform, including the formal recognition of the Self-Defense Forces, and supports strengthening Japan's defense capabilities and energy security through nuclear power. He has faced scrutiny regarding political funding issues but remains an active legislator representing Hokkaido.

Kuniyoshi Azuma is a Japanese politician currently serving as a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Hokkaido 6th district. He has been elected to the House three times and currently serves as the Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Finance in the second Ishiba Cabinet. Before entering national politics, Azuma served five terms in the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly and one term in the Asahikawa City Council. His political career began after working as a secretary for lawmaker Shizuo Sato. Azuma's policy focus includes regional development, agricultural infrastructure, and the regulation of foreign capital in land and water resource acquisition. He is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and has held various party leadership roles, including committee chair positions related to national security and defense.

Takako Suzuki is a Japanese politician serving as a Member of the House of Representatives and Head of the Public Relations Headquarters for the Liberal Democratic Party. The daughter of veteran politician Muneo Suzuki, she began her career at NHK before entering politics. She has held key roles including State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense. Suzuki is known for her support of constitutional reform and selective separate surnames for married couples, maintaining a focus on regional development and foreign policy.

Jun Mukoyama is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives and as Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications. Born in Saitama Prefecture, she spent much of her youth abroad in Peru, the United States, and Argentina. After graduating from Keio University, she worked at Mitsubishi Corporation for 13 years, focusing on infrastructure investment. Following a period of study at Harvard University, she became involved in policy research and advocacy, particularly regarding digital society and work-life balance. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2024 and re-elected in 2026, representing the Hokkaido 8th district.