Key Facts
• Masataka Kawamura, 51, is running for Gunma’s Senate seat under the Constitutional Democratic Party.
• Known for initiating the ‘Tiger Mask Movement,’ anonymously donating school bags to orphanages.
• Began donating at age 24, contributing ¥10,000 monthly for nearly 30 years.
• In 2010, donated 10 school bags to a Gunma child consultation center under the alias ‘Naoto Date.’
• Kawamura was orphaned at age 3, faced abuse, and lived independently after middle school.
• Advocates for self-reliance support for children leaving foster care, including driving license subsidies.
• Negotiated with Maebashi City in 2016 to provide financial aid for new graduates, raising over ¥100 million annually via donations.
• Plans to expand local support initiatives nationwide through top-down policymaking.
• A former recipient of his donations gifted him a black bag as thanks, which he now carries during his campaign.
• Campaigns to support single-parent families, job-seekers, and vulnerable groups.
Summary
Masataka Kawamura, a social activist and pioneer of the ‘Tiger Mask Movement,’ is running for Gunma’s Senate seat under the Constitutional Democratic Party. Known for his anonymous donations to orphanages, Kawamura has supported vulnerable children for nearly three decades. His personal experiences as an orphan and survivor of abuse inspired his lifelong commitment to aiding children in foster care. In 2016, he successfully negotiated financial aid for young adults leaving care, raising over ¥100 million annually through donations. Kawamura now aims to expand these initiatives nationwide, advocating for top-down policymaking to address systemic challenges. His campaign focuses on supporting single-parent families, job-seekers, and marginalized groups, emphasizing his deep understanding of everyday struggles. Kawamura’s journey from a struggling orphan to a Senate candidate highlights his dedication to creating a more inclusive society.
