若井敦子

Atsuko Wakai is a Japanese politician and former world-class karate athlete currently serving as a member of the House of Councillors. Before entering national politics, she had a distinguished career as a karate practitioner, achieving four consecutive world championship titles in the individual kata category, a feat recognized by the Guinness World Records. She later served three terms as a member of the Gifu Prefectural Assembly. Wakai transitioned into politics after a career in sports management and media, and she was elected to the House of Councillors in July 2025 representing the Gifu Prefecture constituency as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.