Kishimoto Shuhei, Governor of Wakayama Prefecture, Passes Away at 68
Attended Official Events the Day Before... Found Collapsed at Residence
Visited Busan in February for Mutual Cooperation and Workation Discussions
Shuhei Kishimoto, Governor of Wakayama Prefecture in Japan, passed away at the age of 68. The news of the death of a sitting governor shocked the entire nation. He had been actively engaged in his duties, having participated in the opening ceremony of the Osaka-Kansai Expo the day before he collapsed, and visiting Busan in February to promote policies, which adds to the sorrow.
On the 16th, NHK reported that Governor Kishimoto passed away the previous morning. On the morning of the 14th, contact with Governor Kishimoto was lost, and when his secretaries checked the official residence, they found him collapsed in his bedroom. He was immediately transferred to the intensive care unit of a nearby hospital, but he never regained consciousness and ultimately passed away the previous morning. The cause of death was reported as septic shock, and the funeral service is scheduled for the afternoon of the 17th.
Japanese media widely reported the death of the sitting governor during his term. Governor Kishimoto graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1980 and worked at the Ministry of Finance (formerly the Ministry of General Affairs) before entering politics by winning a seat in the House of Representatives. He was re-elected five consecutive times and was known as a seasoned figure in economics, having served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Economy, Trade and Industry under the Democratic Party administration. He successfully ran for governor of Wakayama Prefecture in 2022 and passed away after serving three years of his four-year term. Since local governors in Japan typically have the opportunity for re-election, the fact that he could not even complete his first term adds to the regret.
He appeared at the opening ceremony of the Osaka Expo, Japan’s largest current event, the day before he collapsed, showing his face to the media. On the same day, he posted on his social media about his participation in a Wakayama Prefecture PR program. In February, he visited Busan Metropolitan City, signed an agreement with the city, and actively engaged in discussions to promote workation and remote work, demonstrating his vigorous administrative activities.
The day before collapsing, Governor Kusimoto Shuhei (right) posted this photo on his social networking service (SNS). Photo by Kusimoto Shuhei on Facebook.
The sudden news of his death was met with condolences from the political community. Yoshimasa Hayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary, expressed his sincere condolences at a press conference the previous afternoon, saying, "I offer my heartfelt sympathy. As Governor of Wakayama Prefecture, he focused on low birthrate countermeasures, industrial revitalization, and earthquake preparedness, contributing to regional development." The Democratic Party for the People, which Kishimoto was a founding member of, stated, "He was a beloved politician and senior. Ending his political career mid-term must be heartbreaking for him, and I myself am so grief-stricken that I cannot find words," offering their prayers for his soul.
Going forward, Deputy Governor Izumi Miyazaki will act as governor. According to Japan’s Public Offices Election Act, if a sitting governor dies, the current election management committee must be notified within five days, and the committee must hold an election within 50 days from the day after the notification.
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