大井川和彦

Kazuhiko Ooigawa is the Governor of Ibaraki Prefecture, currently serving his third term. A former bureaucrat at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now METI), he transitioned to the private sector, holding executive positions at Microsoft Asia, Cisco Systems, and Dwango. Since his initial election in 2017, he has focused on administrative modernization, including the implementation of electronic decision-making systems within the prefectural government, and the introduction of a partnership oath system for same-sex couples. His administration has emphasized corporate attraction and regional development, while maintaining a cautious stance on the restart of the Tokai Daini Nuclear Power Plant. He is known for his background in both public policy and the technology industry.