塩村文夏

Ayaka Shiomura is a Japanese politician currently serving as a member of the House of Councillors, representing the Tokyo district. Before entering politics, she had a diverse career as a television personality, essayist, broadcast writer, and automotive critic. She first gained political prominence as a member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, where she became a vocal advocate for gender equality and fertility treatment support, notably after experiencing harassment during a 2014 assembly session. A member of the Constitutional Democratic Party, she focuses on policies related to gender equality, including the introduction of selective separate surnames for married couples and the legalization of same-sex marriage. She continues to be an active voice in national politics, emphasizing the rights of women and the challenges faced by the 'lost generation' in Japan.