Upon election to the position of Mayor of the City of Otsu, a prefectural capital with over 340,000 residents, became the youngest woman ever to be elected mayor of a Japanese City. Since taking office, has focused on issues related to gender equality and childcare. LLB and LLM, Hokkaido University; LLM, Harvard Law School. Visiting Fellow, Columbia Business School. Practised law at Nishiura & Asahi, Tokyo and Debevoise & Plimpton, NYC.