Yasushi Adachi, Member of the House of Councillors

Continuing to take on challenges with the "20-year lifespan theory." Infinite possibilities unfold from the path I've chosen.

Yasushi Adachi, Member of the House of Councillors

■ Profile
Born in Osaka on October 14, 1965. After graduating from Osaka Prefectural Ibaraki High School, Kyoto University, and its graduate school, he joined the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). During his time at METI, he studied at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs in the United States and obtained a master's degree. After working at METI for over 20 years, he turned to politics following the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. He ran for office for the first time in the December 2012 general election, which led to the formation of the second Abe cabinet, and was elected. He served four terms as a member of the House of Representatives for 12 years, and held positions such as Chairman of the Policy Research Committee of the Japan Innovation Party's Diet Members' Group and Chairman of the Constitutional Revision Research Committee. In the October 2024 House of Representatives by-election, he was targeted by an assassin after whistleblowing about election violations by the Japan Innovation Party, and announced his retirement to avoid unrest in his constituency. In the July 2025 House of Councillors election, he ran as a proportional representation candidate for the Democratic Party for the People and was elected as the top candidate within the party as an individual, not within the organization.

Yasushi Adachi, who transitioned from a bureaucrat at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to a politician, continues to take on dynamic challenges. Based on his expertise in urban planning and his field experience as a bureaucrat, he has delved deeply into Japan's urban system and political landscape. Adachi, who advocates the "20-year life theory" and has always been forward-thinking, has a passionate message for students who will lead Japan in the future.

During my student days, I dedicated myself fully to both academics and sports. I enrolled in the Faculty of Engineering at Kyoto University, where I immersed myself in the study of urban planning and urban economics. I used computer models to analyze the impact of the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge project on the regional economy. At the same time, I would also walk along Kyoto's "Philosopher's Path" and reflect deeply on things. Furthermore, the sport I dedicated the most time to during my student life was water polo in the university's swimming club. I had been dedicated to water polo since high school, spending my days and nights sweating it out in the pool.
After graduating from graduate school, I joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry). Leveraging my knowledge of urban planning, I became involved in national industrial policy and economic diplomacy, building a career through key positions and overseas assignments, including serving as a counselor in the Minister's Secretariat, traveling to Beijing, and even being stationed at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

■The Great East Japan Earthquake became a turning point—overcoming the limitations of government administration and pursuing a career in politics.

A major turning point in my life was the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident that occurred on March 11, 2011, while I was stationed in Belgium. The moment I turned on the news there, I saw on the screen the devastating tsunami and nuclear accident befalling my home country, Japan, and I felt a strong sense of shock and crisis. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is a party directly involved in nuclear power administration. I felt a strong sense of responsibility, and at the same time, I was overcome with the urge to stand up for my country.
What I keenly realized from observing the situation at the time was that no matter how hard excellent civil servants and administrative bodies work on the ground, the country will not change unless the "politics" that guides them is functioning properly. To save the nation from crisis, I was convinced that I had to go beyond the framework of administration and step into the political arena myself to transform the system itself. With that conviction, I immediately submitted my resignation, returned to Japan, and began my political activities from my hometown of Osaka.

■ The three-tiered structure of "politics, administration, and policy," and a passion for urban system reform.

When I think about how the world works or social issues, I often use the analogy of a building's "hierarchical structure" to explain them.
At the top of the first floor is "politics (party politics)," which is the bedrock of everything. Above that, on the second floor, is "administration (governance structure)," and on the third floor above that, there is "policy (economy, foreign policy, social security, etc.)." Many people tend to be captivated by discussions of "policy" on the third floor, but in order to produce truly effective policies, the politics on the first floor and the administrative structure on the second floor must be built robustly and fairly.
Currently, Japan's growth is being driven by the "power of cities," including the designated cities across the country. However, the current urban system has an ambiguous relationship between prefectural governors and mayors, resulting in the inefficiency of so-called "dual administration." To solve this problem, there are several reform options besides maintaining the status quo, including the "metropolitan concept (establishment of special wards)" and the "special city system." I believe that an approach like the "special city" system, which strengthens and expands the authority and financial resources of cities rather than dividing them into special wards like Tokyo, is the key to sustainable growth for cities throughout Japan.

■ Openly presenting options creates fair politics.

What I consider most important in institutional reform and elections is "presenting all options openly to the public and citizens, without hiding any choices." If we narrow it down to a binary choice between maintaining the status quo or the existing reform plan, and exclude other valid options (such as special cities), we cannot make truly fair judgments or decisions.
I have always clearly objected to political tactics that discuss "secondary capitals" without addressing the fundamental definition of what a capital city is, or that try to gloss over inconvenient options while promoting them. Even if I am in the minority, I will continue to speak out against what is wrong and present more transparent and fair options to the people. That is the stance of "selfless, public-spirited politics" that I aim for.

■Message to students

I would like to share with students who will shape the future the concept of the "20-year life theory." In this modern age, where a 100-year lifespan is becoming common, dividing life into 20-year segments allows us to live approximately five different "lives."
Personally, I've dedicated my passion to completely different worlds: my twenties were a "student era" where I devoted myself to academics and water polo, the next 20 years were a "bureaucratic era" where I worked for the nation in a central government ministry, and now, in my fifties, I'm a "politician era." Even if you haven't gone to the university or faculty you envisioned, or if your future goals aren't clearly defined, there's absolutely no need to panic. You can start over in life any number of times, and the possibilities are endless depending on the choices you make. If I were to live to 120, I, at sixty, would only just be past the halfway point.
What's important isn't simply gazing at unattainable dreams or abstract ideals. It's about accumulating challenges that give you a real sense of progress each day. Choose the path of "regretting doing something rather than regretting not doing it." I wholeheartedly support you in dedicating yourself fully to the tasks and studies before you, and powerfully forging your own future with free-thinking ideas.

Student Newspaper Online, July 26, 2026 Interview with Hana Takahashi, 3rd year student at Osaka Jogakuin High School

Hana Takahashi (3rd year, Osaka Jogakuin High School) / Tatsushi Harada (2nd year, Nihon University) / Kosuke Seo (3rd year, Myojo High School) / Mina Hiraoka (3rd year, Doshisha University) / Ryo Ishikawa (3rd year, Kansai Gaidai University)
Online participants: Sakura Yamashita (4th year, Tsuda University) / Yuna Yamamoto (4th year, Keio University)