is a Japanese politician who served as the President of the House of Councillors from 2022 to 2024. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he has been a member of the House of Councillors since 1989, serving as Vice President of the House of Councillors from 2010 to 2012 and as Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare from 2004 to 2005.

Early life and education

He was born on October 2, 1940, in Minamisatsuma. During the Pacific War, his father, Shuichi, was a lieutenant commander in the Imperial Japanese Navy and captain of the destroyer Yūgiri. In 1943, he went down with the ship in the Battle of Cape St. George.

Otsuji briefly attended the National Defense Academy but dropped out in 1961 to support his sister after their mother died. He later attended the prestigious University of Tokyo, but again dropped out.

Otsuji was elected Vice President of the House of Councillors following the 2010 House of Councillors election. In December 2012, he resigned to become President of the Japan War-Bereaved Families Association and served as such until 2014.

In August 2022, Otsuji was elected President of the House of Councillors.

Otsuji is affiliated to the conservative organization Nippon Kaigi.

Otsuji is also the author of several books, including "Africa Travel Diary" and "Going to Bokemon World." "Bokemon" is a word from the Kagoshima dialect of Japanese meaning "recklessly strong".

References

  • in Japanese.