Kotaro Nagasaki, Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture

Yamanashi must not be afraid to take on challenges in order to spread its wings to the world.

Kotaro Nagasaki, Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture

■ Profile
Born in Tokyo in 1968. After graduating from the University of Tokyo, he joined the Ministry of Finance (now the Ministry of Finance). He has held positions such as Consul at the Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles, Policy Counselor in the General Policy Office of the Planning Department of Yamanashi Prefecture, and Chief Specialist in the Local Finance Section of the Budget Bureau of the Ministry of Finance. He served a total of three terms as a member of the House of Representatives from September 2005. He assumed office as Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture in February 2019 and is currently serving his second term. He is fully committed to managing the prefectural government to realize a Yamanashi where every citizen can feel prosperity.

Yamanashi Prefecture is known for its specialty products such as jewelry, grapes, and peaches, but it is also making global-standard efforts, such as upgrading regional transportation in anticipation of the opening of the Chuo Shinkansen maglev line, commercializing hydrogen energy, and expanding its medical equipment industry overseas. Governor Nagasaki, who is working hard every day with the fundamental value of "creating a community where hard work is rewarded," spoke to us about community development and the outlook for Yamanashi Prefecture.

Looking back on my university days, the first two years were not solely dedicated to studying. At the University of Tokyo, I belonged to the golf club and spent my days engrossed in golf and mahjong. In fact, the reason I joined the golf club was because of my connection with Mr. Osamu Hayashi, who was my math tutor. It was around the end of my second year that I started to seriously think about my future. At that time, the bubble economy was in full swing, but at the same time, economic inequality was widening. I wanted to make society better through the tax system and the structure of public finance, so I studied hard with the aim of joining the Ministry of Finance (now the Ministry of Finance). I had always been interested in politics, but at that time, the most realistic path for someone not born into a political family to become a politician was to go through Kasumigaseki. That's why I initially aimed for Kasumigaseki.

■The desire to turn policies into reality

After working at the Ministry of Finance, I became a member of the House of Representatives and became involved in policymaking. However, during my time as an independent member of parliament, I felt frustrated because I couldn't participate in policy formation as much as I wanted.
As a result, I engaged in activities rooted in the local community and became aware of various problems, such as the shortage of facilities to accommodate children with severe physical and mental disabilities and the future anxieties of non-regular workers. My desire to change the community through my own responsibility and to fully test myself grew stronger, and I decided to run for governor of Yamanashi Prefecture.

■ "Creating a community where hard work is rewarded"

This is the fundamental value of the prefectural government. We aim for a society where the working generation is encouraged to strive for learning and skill development, and if that leads to increased profits for companies, it is fairly rewarded in the form of wage increases.
In Japan, even when corporate profits have increased, this has not been adequately reflected in wages, resulting in a situation where workers have little sense of accomplishment. However, motivation cannot be fostered in an environment where hard work is not rewarded. That is why a system that appropriately shares the results is necessary.
On the other hand, opportunities to take on challenges should not be limited by family circumstances. To ensure that no child has to give up studying or playing sports due to economic reasons, we are promoting small-group education to create an environment where all children can receive learning and guidance.

■Challenges in the medical device industry

The machinery and electronics industry in our prefecture is mainly focused on semiconductor manufacturing equipment, but the semiconductor industry is susceptible to economic fluctuations, and job instability has been a challenge.
Therefore, we are working to apply the technologies cultivated in semiconductor manufacturing equipment to the medical device industry. The medical field is an industry that is expected to continue growing. By entering this steadily growing market, we aim to create stable employment and realize a society where residents can plan their lives with a clear outlook for the future.

■ How the Linear Motor Train Will Transform the Future of Yamanashi

When discussing the future of Yamanashi Prefecture, the Chuo Shinkansen (maglev train) is an indispensable topic. I am promoting a new transportation system called "Fuji Tram," which was born from the Mount Fuji climbing railway concept. Fuji Tram is a next-generation mobility system that does not lay rails but runs on tires, reading road markings and other indicators, and is a transportation system that combines the features of trains and buses. I have high hopes that it will be a system that can balance Mount Fuji tourism and local transportation while minimizing the burden on the environment.
The "Fuji Tram" was proposed as a measure to combat overtourism around Mount Fuji, but we are now also considering connecting it to the maglev train station. By making it a gateway to Mount Fuji, we hope to increase the number of passengers using the maglev Yamanashi Prefecture station, which will lead to an increase in the number of maglev trains stopping there.
Once the maglev train opens, it will take approximately 25 minutes to reach Shinagawa and about an hour to reach Haneda Airport. We believe this will enable a new lifestyle where people can commute to the city center while living amidst abundant nature.

■ Creating a prefecture that supports the challenges of young people

I want the younger generation to actively take on challenges. In Yamanashi Prefecture, we offer opportunities to be exposed to diverse values, including small-group education, international exchanges with India, Vietnam, and California, and art exchanges. I believe that experiencing the outside world and being stimulated will broaden your options.
Furthermore, we are working to create a support base for young people who aspire to start their own businesses, and to increase opportunities for interaction with experienced entrepreneurs, thereby creating an environment that lowers the barriers to taking on challenges.
Yamanashi has a long history of pioneering spirit, exemplified by the Koshu Zaibatsu (financial conglomerate). The deeply rooted culture of supporting those who take on challenges throughout the region is another major attraction of our prefecture.

■Yamanashi challenges the world

Currently, Yamanashi Prefecture is at the forefront of world-leading practical applications in the field of hydrogen energy. This effort has been highly praised internationally, and collaborations are progressing with countries such as Uttar Pradesh, India, with a population of 250 million. Furthermore, even in the age of physical AI, companies in Yamanashi Prefecture can produce essential components and materials for manufacturers worldwide. This is no longer an era where only finished products hold value. I believe that foundational technologies that support the world are Yamanashi's strength.
If we can overcome the challenge of wage levels, Yamanashi Prefecture has great potential to connect directly with the world, and I am determined to make that vision a reality.

■Message to university students

University life is a precious time to broaden your horizons. While I myself was engrossed in having fun during my student days, my life changed dramatically when I seriously considered my future. Challenges inevitably involve failure. However, without challenges, you cannot see new perspectives. I encourage you to meet various people, be exposed to diverse values, and act with confidence in your own potential. Those experiences will undoubtedly benefit your future. I hope that each and every one of your challenges will become a force that shapes the future of Japan and the world.

Student Newspaper Online September 1, 2026 Interview by Reina Inomoto, a first-year student at Kyoto University of the Arts

Masamasa Hattori (1st year, Chuo University) / Reina Inomoto (1st year, Kyoto University of the Arts) / Aki Takahara (3rd year, Hosei University) / Chiharu Yamada (2nd year, Information Management Innovation Professional University) / Sho Oyama (1st year, Chuo University)