1974 Born November 1, 1997 Started working as TV presenter on variety program, 2010 Became youngest mayor in Fukuoka City history at age of 36, 2014, 2018, 2022 Secured record number of votes; now serving 4th term, 2014 Nominated for World Mayor Prize, 2017 First Japanese mayor to attend World Economic Forum Annual Meeting

Takashima has utilized Fukuoka’s status as a National Strategic Economic Zone to enact structural renewal and deregulation, such as the Startup Visa Programme, corporate tax reductions, and deregulating building height restrictions. He has been a forerunner leading Japan’s startup movement and policies.