若林洋平

Yohei Wakabayashi is a Japanese politician currently serving as a Member of the House of Councillors and as Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense. Born in Mito, Ibaraki, he previously served four terms as the Mayor of Gotemba, Shizuoka, where he gained recognition for his administrative approach during the COVID-19 pandemic. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he was elected to the House of Councillors in 2022. Wakabayashi is known for his conservative political stances, including support for constitutional reform, strengthening national defense capabilities, and opposition to the introduction of selective separate surnames for married couples. He has been involved in various conservative policy groups and maintains a focus on regional revitalization and national security.