田村智子

Tomoko Tamura is a Japanese politician serving as the Chair of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) Central Committee, becoming the first woman to lead the party in its history. Born in Nagano Prefecture, she graduated from Waseda University and began her career as a staff member for the Democratic Youth League of Japan. After serving as a legislative secretary, she was elected to the House of Councillors in 2010 and served three terms before transitioning to the House of Representatives in 2024. Tamura is known for her advocacy on gender equality, including support for selective separate surnames for married couples and same-sex marriage. She has been a vocal critic of neoliberal economic policies, the expansion of defense spending, and the privatization of public services, frequently highlighting issues related to poverty and education funding.