Naomichi Suzuki is a Japanese politician who currently serves as Governor of Hokkaidō. He previously served as mayor of Yūbari city for two consecutive terms from 2011 to 2019. He had also served in Regional Sovereignty Strategy Office of Cabinet Office and as a chief of General Affairs Division in General Affairs Department at Tokyo Governor's Office.
Early life
Suzuki was born in Kasukabecity ofSaitama Prefecture and was raised in Misato City in the same Prefecture. He attended Misato High School in Misato City. He lived with his mother due to divorce of his parents. He wasn't able to attend college due to economic problems. At 18 years of age he passed the Tokyo Metropolitan Staff Employment Examination and entered the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in April 1999 as an employee. In April 2000, he took admission at Hosei University and graduated from law faculty of the university in 2004. In University he served as captain of boxing club and was runner-up in 2002 at National Sports Tournament in Boxing Competition. During this time as an employee of Tokyo, he joined the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Public Health Bureau, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health, the Tokyo Metropolitan Kita Medical Center, and the Health and Welfare Bureau and policy Department. After his tenure in Control Division of Welfare Department of health and Affairs Department as chief of General Administration Division, in January 2008 he was sent to Yubari from Tokyo as city official. In 2010, he was transferred to the Regional Sovereignty Strategy Office of the Cabinet Office as the head of the General Affairs Division of the General Affairs Department of the Tokyo Governor's Headquarters. In the same year, he participated in Yubari government. In November 2010 he showed his intention to run in the Yubari mayoral election and retired from Tokyo Metropolitan Government. He ran independently for mayor election. In April 2011 at the age of 30 years and 1 month Suzuki became the youngest ever mayor to be elected from any city of the country. He was supported by LDP and Komeito. In March 2013, Naomichi Suzuki was selected as "Young Global Leaders" by the World Economic Forum hosting the Davos Conference. In 2014, he participated in the Ministry of Finance as Financial System Council as an expert. In April 2015, he was re-elected as Mayor of Yubari. In November, he received the "Best Dresser Award" from the Japan Men's Fashion Association. On 29 January 2019, he announced his intention to run without affiliation in the Hokkaido governor's election following the expiration of his term as Mayor. In an interview he told reporters that the LDP and Komeito will support him. On April 7, 2019, he was elected for the first time by defeating the opposition party unification candidate in the Hokkaido Governor's Election. As of 2019, he is the youngest prefectural governor. His policies include the creation of the "Hokkaido Cheering Committee".
