Back to Community News
The United States-Japan Foundation (USJF) today announced that Hiroto Fujii, mayor of Minokamo City in Gifu Prefecture, has been named the recipient of the inaugural Young Mayors of Japan Award, a new initiative spotlighting Japan’s most promising municipal leaders under the age of 45 and empowering them to forge global connections through policy exchange and leadership development.“Local government leaders are essentially the CEOs of their cities,” said Lin Kobayashi, a member of the USJF Board of Trustees, speaking on behalf of the USJF Board. “Today, there are only 90 mayors under the age of 45 out of more than 1,700 municipalities across Japan. By celebrating their achievements, we hope to raise awareness of their impact and encourage more talented young people to pursue this noble path," added Kobayashi, Co-Founder and Chair of the Board, UWC ISAK Japan.
Fujii’s Record in Minokamo
Fujii was first elected in 2013 as one of Japan’s youngest mayors. During his tenure, Minokamo has seen population growth despite nationwide decline, steady progress in digital transformation, and new child-rearing and educational programs that draw on the city’s natural environment and local resources. Under his leadership, Minokamo also became known for its participatory democracy and the intentional involvement of its citizens in decision-making.
Reflecting on his achievements, Fujii said:
“I am proud that our policies have helped Minokamo grow, even as Japan overall faces population decline. We have invested in families, in women’s participation, in digital transformation, and in health initiatives that improve the quality of life for all residents. These efforts have shown that even mid-sized cities can set an example for sustainable, community-driven governance.”
Looking Ahead: Learning from the United States
With the award, Fujii plans to visit Dubuque, Iowa, a mid-sized American city recognized for its pioneering work in smart city development and community-based governance.
“Dubuque has been at the forefront of integrating environmental stewardship, health, local economies, and citizen participation through digital innovation,” Fujii said. “I see strong parallels with what we are building in Minokamo. I hope to learn how Dubuque designed that system and what long-term impacts they have seen. Visiting Dubuque will be an invaluable opportunity to bring lessons back to Japan.”
Award Ceremony
The award ceremony will be held on October 29, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm at a venue in central Tokyo, with judges and distinguished guests in attendance. If you wish to attend, please contact us at mayors@us-jf.org. Further details will be provided shortly.
About the Young Mayors of Japan Award
The Young Mayors of Japan Award, launched in 2025, recognizes Japanese mayors under 45 who demonstrate innovative approaches to governance. By facilitating U.S. study trips, the award encourages cross-border policy learning and strengthens the U.S.-Japan partnership from the local level upward.
The award includes a ¥1 million prize to facilitate a study trip in the United States. The program aims to deepen international perspectives while encouraging practical innovation in areas such as urban planning, education, and digital governance.
The award jury brought together expertise from local government, academia, and education. Toshihito Kumagai, Governor of Chiba Prefecture since 2021 and recently re-elected for a second term, contributes the perspective of an innovative local executive, building on his proven track record as Mayor of Chiba from 2009 to 2021. Dr. Charles McClean, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Yale University, offers scholarly insight on Japanese politics and the role of younger leaders in local government. Lin Kobayashi, Co-Founder and Chair of the Board at UWC ISAK Japan and a member of the Board of Trustees of the United States-Japan Foundation, brings long-standing experience in cultivating the next generation of global leaders.
Note: Fujii was arrested in 2014 on suspicion of accepting a ¥300,000 bribe. He consistently maintained his innocence and was initially acquitted in 2015. In 2016, the Nagoya High Court overturned the acquittal, issuing a conviction with a suspended prison sentence; he resigned but was re-elected as mayor in 2017. After the conviction was finalized later that year, he again resigned. The period of suspension ended in 2020, at which time, pursuant to Article 27 of the Penal Code, the sentence ceased to have effect. Fujii returned to office in 2022 through re-election, winning more than twice as many votes as his opponent.
