池畑浩太朗

Kotaro Ikehata is a Japanese politician currently serving as a member of the House of Representatives for the Nippon Ishin no Kai party. Born in Tokyo and raised in various regions including Yokohama and Okayama, he initially worked as a high school teacher for nine years before entering politics. He served two terms in the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly and has held various roles in the private sector, including as a food wholesaler executive. Ikehata was first elected to the national Diet in 2021 and has since secured re-election. His political career has included affiliations with the Democratic Party of Japan, the Kibō no Tō, and the Democratic Party for the People before joining his current party. In 2026, he faced scrutiny regarding the use of a parliamentary meeting room for an event involving pro-Russian sentiments, for which he issued an apology and received a formal warning from his party.