Presentation Information
[KS-02]Special Session 2
16:00-17:20 Special SessionⅡ / Panel Discussion with Political Leaders
＜Panelists＞ Listed in Japanese alphabetical order
・Hotaru UENO
Member of the House of Councillors (Japan Innovation Party)
Biography:
Born in Toyama Prefecture in 1984. After graduating from Toyama High School, she worked in administrative roles in the long-term care sector. Prompted by a scandal involving the misuse of political activity funds by members of the Toyama City Council, she was first elected in the 2016 Toyama City Council by-election and served three terms. After running in the 2022 House of Councillors election, she was declared elected in September 2025 to fill a proportional-representation vacancy, as the next eligible candidate from that election. She focuses on child-rearing, education, welfare policies, and work-style reform. She currently serves as a member of the House of Councillors Committee on Economy, Trade and Industry; a member of the Special Committee on the Formation of a Digital Society and the Utilization of Artificial Intelligence; and Deputy Representative of the Toyama Ishin no Kai.
・Arfiya ERI
Member of the House of Representatives (Liberal Democratic Party)
Biography:
She graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service with a B.Sc. in International Politics and later earned an M.A. in Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies. She joined the Bank of Japan in 2012 before moving to the United Nations Secretariat in New York in 2016. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in the 2023 by-election for the Chiba 5th Electoral District. She was appointed Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Second Ishiba Cabinet in 2024, re-appointed in the Takaichi Cabinet in 2025, and re-appointed again in 2026.
・Yoshihiro OKUMURA
Member of the House of Councillors (Democratic Party for the People)
Biography:
Born February 9, 1994, in Kyoto. B.A. in English Language and Literature from Waseda University. Joined KDDI in 2016, working in Customer Service and later DX Strategy, before leaving in 2021. Moved to Spain to earn an MBA at IE Business School (2021–2023). After returning to Japan, led business development at an AI startup. Elected to the House of Councillors (Tokyo) in July 2025. Focuses on technology, economic, and education policy. Enjoys sento (traditional Japanese public bathhouses), rakugo (traditional Japanese comic storytelling), and reading.
・Michio KAWAI
Member of the House of Representatives (Team Mirai)
Biography:
Michio Kawai (b. 1990, Tokyo) is a member of Japan's House of Representatives and Head of Public Relations for Team Mirai, serving on the House Committee on Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Committee on Economy, Trade and Industry. He holds a B.A. from the University of Tokyo and an M.A. from the Graduate School of Education at Kyoto University, and joined the third cohort of the Tobitate! Study Abroad Japan program. After working in the education sector, he was elected to the House of Representatives in 2026. His work focuses on ensuring that every learner can pursue an education suited to them, and on strengthening higher education and Japan's research environment.
・Kaname TAJIMAMember of the House of Representatives (Centrist Reform Alliance)
Biography:
●Education:Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo, Japan.
MBA, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
●Career:International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group
NTT Communications Corporation
9th Member of the House of Representatives
Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
Director-General, Local Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters
Director, HR Standing Committee on Economy, Trade and Industry
Chair, HR Special Committee on Promotion of Science and Technology, and Innovation
Director, HR Standing Committee on Internal Affairs and Communications
Chairperson, Committee on Business and Organizations Liaison, Centrist Reform Alliance
＜Panelists＞ Listed in Japanese alphabetical order
・Hotaru UENO
Member of the House of Councillors (Japan Innovation Party)
Biography:
Born in Toyama Prefecture in 1984. After graduating from Toyama High School, she worked in administrative roles in the long-term care sector. Prompted by a scandal involving the misuse of political activity funds by members of the Toyama City Council, she was first elected in the 2016 Toyama City Council by-election and served three terms. After running in the 2022 House of Councillors election, she was declared elected in September 2025 to fill a proportional-representation vacancy, as the next eligible candidate from that election. She focuses on child-rearing, education, welfare policies, and work-style reform. She currently serves as a member of the House of Councillors Committee on Economy, Trade and Industry; a member of the Special Committee on the Formation of a Digital Society and the Utilization of Artificial Intelligence; and Deputy Representative of the Toyama Ishin no Kai.
・Arfiya ERI
Member of the House of Representatives (Liberal Democratic Party)
Biography:
She graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service with a B.Sc. in International Politics and later earned an M.A. in Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies. She joined the Bank of Japan in 2012 before moving to the United Nations Secretariat in New York in 2016. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in the 2023 by-election for the Chiba 5th Electoral District. She was appointed Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Second Ishiba Cabinet in 2024, re-appointed in the Takaichi Cabinet in 2025, and re-appointed again in 2026.
・Yoshihiro OKUMURA
Member of the House of Councillors (Democratic Party for the People)
Biography:
Born February 9, 1994, in Kyoto. B.A. in English Language and Literature from Waseda University. Joined KDDI in 2016, working in Customer Service and later DX Strategy, before leaving in 2021. Moved to Spain to earn an MBA at IE Business School (2021–2023). After returning to Japan, led business development at an AI startup. Elected to the House of Councillors (Tokyo) in July 2025. Focuses on technology, economic, and education policy. Enjoys sento (traditional Japanese public bathhouses), rakugo (traditional Japanese comic storytelling), and reading.
・Michio KAWAI
Member of the House of Representatives (Team Mirai)
Biography:
Michio Kawai (b. 1990, Tokyo) is a member of Japan's House of Representatives and Head of Public Relations for Team Mirai, serving on the House Committee on Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Committee on Economy, Trade and Industry. He holds a B.A. from the University of Tokyo and an M.A. from the Graduate School of Education at Kyoto University, and joined the third cohort of the Tobitate! Study Abroad Japan program. After working in the education sector, he was elected to the House of Representatives in 2026. His work focuses on ensuring that every learner can pursue an education suited to them, and on strengthening higher education and Japan's research environment.
・Kaname TAJIMAMember of the House of Representatives (Centrist Reform Alliance)
Biography:
●Education:Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo, Japan.
MBA, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
●Career:International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group
NTT Communications Corporation
9th Member of the House of Representatives
Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
Director-General, Local Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters
Director, HR Standing Committee on Economy, Trade and Industry
Chair, HR Special Committee on Promotion of Science and Technology, and Innovation
Director, HR Standing Committee on Internal Affairs and Communications
Chairperson, Committee on Business and Organizations Liaison, Centrist Reform Alliance