Key Facts
• Yasuhiro Ono, 51, confirmed candidacy for Yatsushiro mayoral election in August 2025.
• Ono served as Kumamoto Deputy Governor for 8 years starting in 2012.
• Ran unsuccessfully for Tokyo Governor in 2020; elected to Japan’s House of Representatives in 2021.
• Relocated to Kumamoto after losing the 2022 general election.
• Plans to run as an independent; official announcement scheduled for June 25, 2025.
• Election dates: August 24 (announcement) and August 31 (voting).
• Current mayor Hiroo Nakamura, 66, seeks a fourth term; councilor Takahiro Yamamoto, 35, also running.
• Ono emphasizes revitalizing Yatsushiro as key to Kumamoto’s overall development.
Summary
Yasuhiro Ono, former Deputy Governor of Kumamoto and ex-House of Representatives member, has announced his intention to run for Yatsushiro mayor in the August 2025 election. Citing the importance of Yatsushiro’s vitality for Kumamoto’s growth, Ono plans to run as an independent and will hold a press conference on June 25. With a political career spanning roles in Kumamoto’s administration and national politics, Ono aims to address regional imbalances and promote development in southern Kumamoto. The election will see competition from incumbent Hiroo Nakamura and councilor Takahiro Yamamoto.
