Natsuo Yamaguchi

Natsuo Yamaguchi (山口 那津男, Yamaguchi Natsuo; born 12 July 1952) is a Japanese politician who served as the chief representative of Komeito from 2009 to 2024. He is a member of the House of Councillors since 2001 and previously served in the House of Representatives from 1990 to 1996.

Natsuo Yamaguchi
山口 那津男
Yamaguchi in 2022
Chief Representative of Komeito
In office 8 September 2009 – 28 September 2024
Preceded by	Akihiro Ota
Succeeded by	Keiichi Ishii
Member of the House of Councillors
In office 29 July 2001 – 28 July 2025
Preceded by	Yuichiro Uozumi
Succeeded by	Yudai Kawamura
Constituency	Tokyo at-large
Member of the House of Representatives
In office 18 February 1990 – 20 October 1996
Preceded by	Yoshikatsu Takeiri
Succeeded by	Constituency abolished
Constituency	Tokyo 10th
Personal details
Born	(1952-07-12) 12 July 1952 (age 73) Nakaminato, Ibaraki, Japan
Political party	Komeito (since 1998)
Other political affiliations	CGP (1990–1994) NFP (1994–1998)
Residence(s)	Katsushika, Tokyo
Alma mater	University of Tokyo (LL.B)

Early life

A native of Nakaminato (now Hitachinaka), Ibaraki and he was raised in Hitachi until his graduation from public senior high school. His mother was a teacher of the elementary school. After graduating from the University of Tokyo with a B.L. degree in 1978, he became a lawyer in 1982.

Political career

Yamaguchi was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1990. After losing his seat in 1996, he ran unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives in 2000. In 2001, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time. He was appointed chairman of the policy research council in August 2008. Komeito suffered a major defeat in the 2009 general election, losing ten seats, including party president Akihiro Ota and secretary general Kazuo Kitagawa. On September 8, Yamaguchi replaced Ota as president. He had been chosen through a process centered on party heavyweights Takenori Kanzaki and Chikara Sakaguchi.^[1][2]

Yamaguchi's first term as party leader expired in September 2012, and he was re-appointed unopposed for another two years on 22 September 2012. No vote was required, as he was the only candidate.^[3] He has continually been reelected since then.

After fifteen years leading Komeito, Yamaguchi stepped down in September 2024 and was succeeded by Keiichi Ishii.^[4]

Yamaguchi has come out in support of the Selective Surname System for married couples and same-sex marriage,^[5][6] as well as voting rights for permanent foreign residents.^[7]

Personality

• Known for his mild-mannered personality. Compared to the former Komeito lawmakers such as his predecessor, Ota, he has a softer appearance and is considered to be a major factor in his appointment as a representative. As a politician, it is not always an advantage, and because of its good personality, it is said that there are no enemies but no allies around Nagatacho.^[8]

• His nickname among his supporters and on Nico Nico Live is "Natchan."^[9] In 2001, when he ran for the House of Councilors election for the first time in the 19th House of Councilors election, he was given a metal badge imitating Natsumi-kan by his supporters .Summer oranges badge 2013 of the 23rd member of the House of Councilors ordinary election is but mounted.