Sōichirō Miyashita (宮下 宗一郎, Miyashita Sōichirō, born 12 May 1974) is a Japanese politician and government official currently serving as the governor of Aomori Prefecture since 2023. Prior to being elected governor, he served as mayor of Mutsu, Aomori Prefecture for 3 terms from 2014 to 2023.
Sōichirō Miyashita | |
|---|---|
宮下宗一郎 | |
 | |
| Governor of Aomori Prefecture | |
| Assumed office June 29, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Shingo Mimura |
| Mayor of Mutsu, Aomori | |
| In office June 29, 2014 – March 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Junichiro Miyashita |
| Succeeded by | Tomoya Yamamoto |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 12, 1974 Mutsu, Aomori, Japan |
| Political party | Independent |
| Profession | Politician |
Before his involvement in electoral politics, Miyashita worked for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and was employed at the Consulate General of Japan, New York City.
Early life
editSōichirō Miyashita was born on May 12, 1974 in Mutsu, Aomori Prefecture. He would attend Aomori High School, upon graduation, he attended Tohoku University, achieving a degree in law.[1]
Work as Government Official
editUpon graduating university, Miyashita was employed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and oversaw the Tohoku Regional Development Bureau. In June, 2012, he began working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he served at the Consulate General of Japan, New York City as head of the Political and Economic Affairs Division.[2]
Mayor of Mutsu
editOn May 19, 2014, his father, Junichiro Miyashita, mayor of Mutsu City, died of a subarachnoid hemorrhage.[3] Sōichirō Miyashita would then run to succeed his father as mayor. He won the election with 21,844 votes.[4] Miyashita ran unopposed in both the 2018 and 2022 mayoral elections.[5][6]
On March 3rd, 2023, Miyashita resigned as mayor in order to pursue his candidacy in the 2023 Aomori gubernatorial election.[7]
Governor of Aomori Prefecture
editWhile serving as mayor of Mutsu, Miyashita had announced his candidacy for the 2023 Aomori gubernatorial election on January 6, 2023 at a press conference meeting.[8] In the election, Miyashita achieved a victory over his opponent, former mayor of Aomori City, Akihiko Onodera.[9] Miyashita ran as an independent without backing from any political party.[10]
Miyashita was inaugurated as governor on June 29, 2023.
References
edit- ^ プロフィール - 青森県むつ市
- ^ プロフィール
- ^ "宮下順一郎氏が死去 青森県むつ市長". 日本経済新聞. 2018-05-20. Retrieved 2018-07-04.
- ^ "トップインタビュー 宮下宗一郎・青森県むつ市長". 時事ドットコム. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "＜むつ市長選＞宮下氏が無投票再選". 河北新報. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "宮下氏が無投票3選". 東奥日報. 29 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "宮下・むつ市長辞職". 読売新聞. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "青森知事選 むつ・宮下宗一郎市長が出馬意向表明". 河北新報. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "青森県知事選挙、前むつ市長・宮下宗一郎氏が初当選…前青森市長ら破る". 読売新聞. 4 June 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "Miyashita elected Aomori governor for first time". Arab News. Retrieved 30 May 2024.