Five members of the United States-Japan Foundation's US-Japan Leadership Program network were re-elected to Japan's parliament in legislative elections held Sunday. Three come from the long-time ruling Liberal Democratic Party, while two are members of opposition parties. They represent both urban and rural parts of Japan. Two have served as cabinet ministers.
"The electoral success of our USJLP members underscores the leadership credentials of our network," said USJF president Jacob M. Schlesinger. "We're proud not just of their victories, but of the balance and diversity among them—hailing from multiple parties, and from districts across the country." He added, "The legislators include the Hon. Arfiya Eri, one of the youngest members of parliament, one of the relatively few women in the Diet, and a rare Japanese politician to come from an immigrant family." Eri is also a member of the USJF Board of Trustees.
Here are the USJLP Fellows who won re-election in the October 27 general election:
Taro Kono (USJLP inaugural class of 2000)
Japan’s former Minister for Digital Transformation, Kono achieved a decisive victory in Kanagawa’s 15th district for the Liberal Democratic Party. He has held multiple cabinet positions, including Digital Minister (2022-2024) Foreign Minister (2017-2019), Defense Minister (2019-2020) in the Abe Cabinet, and Minister for Administrative Reform (2020-2021) in the Suga Cabinet. Kono has served on the USJF Board of Trustees three different terms from 2008-2022.
Motohisa Furukawa (USJLP 2005-2006)
Serving in the Democratic Party for the People, Aichi’s 2nd district since 2000, Furukawa is currently in his fourth term in the lower house. A long-time advocate for financial stability and global health initiatives, he was appointed State Minister of National Strategy, Economic and Fiscal Policy in 2011 under Prime Minister Noda.
Akihisa Shiozaki (USJLP 2010-2011)
A representative of the Liberal Democratic Party in Ehime’s 1st district, Shiozaki has been a member of the House since 2021. He is a vocal supporter of technological innovation as a means to drive economic growth and environmental improvements. In 2013, he was appointed Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare under Prime Minister Kishida.
Yutaka Arai (USJLP 2017-2018)
Representing Hokkaido’s 3rd district, Arai serves as Deputy Secretary-General and Director of the Department of Human Resources for the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. Since taking office in 2021, he has consistently supported educational improvement and disaster management efforts.
Arfiya Eri (USJLP 2018-2019)
A dedicated champion of gender equality, empowering young people, and clean governance, Eri secured her position in the Southern Kanto proportional representation block, which includes, among other areas, Tokyo Disneyland. Her advocacy has made her a distinctive voice within the Liberal Democratic Party. Her historic candidacy in the April 2023 parliamentary election drew worldwide attention. A Japanese national of Uyghur and Uzbek descent, she is the first Uyghur woman elected to any legislature in any nation. Eri joined the USJF Board of Trustees in July 2024.