秋野公造

Kozo Akino is a Japanese politician and physician serving as a member of the House of Councillors for the Komeito party. Born in Kobe, he pursued a medical career, specializing in endocrinology and conducting research at Nagasaki University before joining the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Since his initial election to the Diet in 2010, he has focused heavily on healthcare policy, including the promotion of Helicobacter pylori eradication, cancer registration legislation, and the expansion of medical insurance coverage for various treatments. Akino has also been a prominent advocate for COVID-19 countermeasures, utilizing his background in quarantine operations. He currently serves as the Policy Research Council Chairman for Komeito and remains active in promoting medical and public health reforms, including the development of medical cannabis and the preservation of cultural heritage sites.