Key Facts
• On July 8, 2025, Yosuke Tsuruho made controversial remarks about the Noto earthquake.
• He stated, “It was lucky that the earthquake occurred in Noto,” during a campaign meeting.
• Tsuruho retracted his statement late on July 8 and apologized publicly on July 9.
• Criticism arose from both ruling and opposition parties, as well as the public on social media.
• Tsuruho has served five terms in the House of Councillors since his first election in 1998.
• In 2016, as Minister for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs, he faced backlash for defending discriminatory remarks by riot police.
• Tsuruho was in a common-law marriage with Seiko Noda from 2001 to 2006.
• His remarks referenced government efforts to enable residents to obtain residency documents outside disaster-hit areas.
• The Noto Peninsula earthquake and Wakayama, Tsuruho’s home region, are key battlegrounds in the 2025 House of Councillors election.
• Tsuruho denied plans to resign or leave the Liberal Democratic Party despite the controversy.
Summary
Yosuke Tsuruho, a senior member of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, sparked outrage on July 8, 2025, by describing the Noto earthquake as “lucky” during a campaign meeting. His remarks, later retracted and apologized for, drew widespread criticism from political parties and the public. Tsuruho, a five-term House of Councillors member, has faced controversies before, including defending discriminatory comments in 2016 as a cabinet minister. The incident has raised concerns about its impact on the LDP’s performance in key electoral districts, including Wakayama and Ishikawa. Despite calls for accountability, Tsuruho has ruled out resignation or leaving the party.
