Yoichi Masuzoe

Yoichi Masuzoe was elected Governor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in February, 2014. As Governor, his priorities are to attract investment to Tokyo, secure the city’s position as Asia’s leading financial center, invest in sustainability initiatives, and prepare Tokyo to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Governor Masuzoe previously served as a member of the House of Councilors, the upper house of the Japanese National Diet, from 2001 to 2013. During his tenure in the legislature, he was Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs & Defense and Acting Chairman of the Committee on Budget. He served as the Japanese Minister of Health, Labour & Welfare from 2007 to 2009.

Prior to his career in public service, Governor Masuzoe was an Assistant Professor of Political Science & History at the University of Tokyo, and Director of the Masuzoe Institute of Political Economy. He is a graduate of the University of Tokyo.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is the government of the Tokyo Metropolis, the country’s political, business, financial, media and cultural center and one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. The government administers Tokyo and surrounding cities and towns that comprise the prefecture. With a population of more than 13 million living within its boundaries, and millions more commuting from neighboring prefectures, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government wields significant political power within Japan.