柴橋正直

Masanao Shibahashi is a Japanese politician currently serving as the Mayor of Gifu. Born in Kyoto and raised in Gifu Prefecture, he graduated from Osaka University before working at UFJ Bank. He began his political career as a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Democratic Party of Japan. After leaving the party and experiencing electoral defeats, he was first elected Mayor of Gifu in 2018 and has since secured re-election, most recently in 2026. A Christian, Shibahashi is known for his conservative stances on issues such as foreign suffrage and historical interpretations of the Japanese military's wartime actions. In 2025, he publicly disclosed his diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, noting that he continues to fulfill his official duties.