TOKYO (Kyodo) -- New Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, a son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, attracted public attention this year as a farm minister tasked with containing soaring rice prices.
In his second bid for the presidency of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the 44-year-old sixth-term House of Representative lawmaker was defeated by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in an early October runoff.
After marrying TV personality Christel Takigawa in 2019, he took paternity leave in 2020 -- an unusual move in Japan -- when their first child was born while serving as environment minister. He is a big fan of traditional Rakugo storytelling and enjoys surfing.
© Copyright 2025 The SSResource Media.
All rights reserved.