略歴 Profile

Seto Kenichiro (Ken Seto)

  • Born in Tokyo, Japan on May 21, 1962
  • Graduated from Bellaire High School, Houston Independent School District, TX, US
  • Accomplished Junior Year Abroad at Department of Government, University of Essex, UK
  • Graduated from Faculty of Law, Dokkyo University, Saitama, JP (LLB)~Secretary General, Institute of Political Studies in Japan (Chaired by Prof. Rei Shiratori)
  • Elected to a member of Soka City Assembly, Saitama, JP in 1990 (1st term)
  • Elected totally for 6 terms, served as Vice Chairman, Chairman (at the youngest age in Japan), Majority Leader, City Auditor, etc.
    • “Soka Citizens’ Basic Autonomy Ordinance” was enacted through City Assembly’s revision process. Ken Seto drafted the preamble of this local constitution as the special committee Chairman stated we shall make the “The City for Happiness of All”. (in 4th term)
  • Lost in 23rd Election for the members of House of Councilors (Upper House of the Diet of Japan) in 2013.
  • Graduated, Post Graduate taught, the University of Essex, UK in 2020 (MA Political Theory with merit)
  • Family members: Wife (Yamakawa Yuriko, Congresswoman) & Mother (Seto Hiroko)
  • Hobbies: Driving, Travelling, Watching Movies and Musicals, Gourmet
  • Faith: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11）
  • Vision: “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
  • Motto: “Do for others what you want them to do for you: this is the meaning of the Law of Moses and of the teachings of the prophets. ” (Matthew 7:12)
  • Favorite Remarks: 「遊漁動緑荷」(“Even fish in the pond move water hyacinth wherever they want, why not we, the people move our nation?”) by Sakamoto Ryoma.

学歴 Academic Background

  • Graduated from Nerima Municipal Kowa Elementary School in 1975
  • Graduated from Nerima Municipal Shakujii Higashi Junior High School in 1978
  • Entered Tokyo Metropolitan Ogikubo Senior High School in 1978
    • 1980ー81 Participated YFU 23rd High School Exchange Program to US
    • Graduated from Bellaire High School, Houston Independent School District, TX in 1980 ~ Encountering Republican Congressman Mr. Bill Archer at the graduation ceremony, and in the discussion with him, the vision to create “Life-size Japan-US Relationship” motivated for stepping into politics.
  • Graduated from Tokyo Metropolitan Ogikubo Senior High School in 1982
  • Entered Dokkyo University, Faculty of Law in 1982
    • 1984ー85 Participated in Dokkyo Univ.-Essex Univ. 1st Student Dispatch Program
    • Accomplished Junior Year Abroad Program at The University of Essex obtaining 28 credits in Government and International Law
  • Graduated, Faculty of Law, Dokkyo University (LLB/Supervised by Prof. Rei Shiratori) in 1986
  • Graduated, Post Graduate taught, the University of Essex (MA Political Theory with merit) in 2020
  • Entered JTJ Missionary Seminary majoring in theology

職歴 Career

  • 1982.09-1984.08 Part-time staff, ECC Foreign Language Institute (Ikebukuro School)
  • 1985.10-1988.03 Part-time Instructor, ECC Foreign Language Institute (General English Conversation Courses at Kanda School and Shibuya School)
  • 1986.04-1990.10 Full-time staff, Institute for Political Studies in Japan (Appointed to Secretary-General and a Board Member)
  • 1990.10 Elected to Soka City Councilor (for 1st term at the age of 28)
    • Elected to Vice Chairman of Education & Economy Standing Committee, Council Steering Committee Member, Young Children Education Council Member, etc.
  • 1994.11 Elected to Soka City Councilor (for 2nd term)
    • Elected to Vice Speaker of Council, Vice Chairman of Council Steering Committee, Chairman of Settlement of Accounts Committee, Agricultural Committee Member, etc.
  • 1998.11 Elected to Soka City Councilor (for 3rd term)
    • Elected to Speaker of Council, Chairman of Council Steering Committee, Speaker of Resource and Energy United-cities of Saitama East (REUSE) Assembly, All Japan City Council Speakers’ League Councilor, etc.
    • Attracted Soka Municipal General Hospital to move into the constituency (Current Hospital)
  • 2001.07 Lost in Soka City Mayoral Election
  • 2002.01 Opened English Square Soka School (English School for Children)
    • As the General Manager & Principal, had taught all students in twice a week classes, managed STEP test, STEP Interview Examiner, etc. (left the school in 2013)
  • 2002.11 Elected to Soka City Councilor (for 4th term)
    • Elected to Majority Leader, Chairman of Parties Negotiation Council, Chairman of Soka Citizens’ Community Development Ordinance Special Committee, etc.
    • Reforming the citizens’ ordinance proposal to make it up to Autonomy Basic Ordinance, Soka Citizens’ Autonomy Basic Ordinance was enacted. Drafted its preamble stating that we shall make “City of Happiness”.
  • 2006.11 Elected to Soka City Councilor (for 5th term)
    • Elected to Soka City Auditor
  • 2010.02 Married to Yamakawa Yuriko, Saitama Prefecture Councilor
    • Conducted by Rev. Amano Hiromasa at International House of Japan
    • Won Court Oder to Suspend Other Procedures against right-wing group supported by Japanese mafia that were attacking Ken Seto by several propaganda vehicles concerning his correcting “Extortion Incidents at Public Construction Site by Mafia”.
    • As a newly married Christian Politician Couple, we had fought against “Power of Darkness” which caused Saitama Police HQ to detect in Soka City Hall twice which were dishonour for all Soka Citizens.
  • 2010.10 Elected to Soka City Councilor (for 6th term)
    • Mayor dismissed city council for they passed a vote of No Confidence against him. After the election, Soka City Council passed another vote of No-confidence against him; then the mayor was legally kicked out of his office.
    • Coordinating to prevent the resigned mayor from being reelected, and to clean up the darkness in the city, instead of running himself, Ken Seto tried to create unities among different political parties and factions in the council and successfully elected a new mayor.
    • The Main Discussion in the chamber of the City Council has been shared on YouTube as follows: YouTube List:「Judging Mayor’s Idea and Intended Misunderstanding make Politics So Dark～Series of Incidents kicked the Mayor out of His Office」(only in Japanese)
  • 2013.07 Lost in the 23rd Election of House of Councilors (Upper House of the National Diet)
    • Ran for Proportional Representation National Constituency (Japan Restoration Party)
    • Emphasized the need for Reforming Government Structure to realize more active and free Local Autonomy by making a difference in decision making process and budget.
    • Japan Restoration Party Leader Mr Hashimoto told the Commander of US Marine base in Okinawa to make use of sex industries in Japan to prevent their soldiers’ raping young women. Ken Seto was shocked that his party leader doesn’t understand the difference between “Sin” and “Criminal”. After the election, Ken Seto left the party.
  • 2013.10 Appointed to Assistant National Director of YFU Japan Foundation
    • Being Disciplined by President (late) Okawara Yoshio, who were former Ambassador of Japan to the US and creator of Post-war Japan-US Relationship. He was Adviser to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President of Japan-US Association. Left YFU in 2015 to go back to politics to realize “Life-sized Japan-US Relationship”.
  • 2016.01 Appointed to Chief of Staff, Yamakawa Yuriko’s Campaign Office for Saitama 3rd Congressional constituency of Democratic Party of Japan
    • Instead of running by himself, Ken Seto decided to support his wife, Yamakawa Yuriko, to send her to the Lower House of National Diet of Japan.
    • 2016.03.27 Democratic Party of Japan and Japan Restoration Party merged to found Minshin Party.
  • 2017.10 Appointed to Chief of Staff, Congresswoman Yamakawa Yuriko’ Office, House of Representatives, National Diet of Japan.
    • Yamakawa Yuriko won the 48th General Election for House of Representatives, and Ken Seto became her Chief of Staff.
    • Minshin Party decided to merge into Party of Hope, nevertheless, as a Christian politician couple, it wasn’t their choice to give approvals to the Series of National Security Laws which opens Japan to be re-militarized and join US military activities in the World for such legal decision was unconstitutional. So they once decided to run as an independent candidate, but as Constitutional Democratic Party was formed, they joined the foundation of this new party and won the election.
  • Yamakawa Yuriko was appointed to Secretary-General of Joint Policy-Making Group for Foreign Affairs, and National Security and Ken Seto drafted Fondamental Policies of Foreign Affairs and National Security for Constitutional Democratic Party. He also has been serving to draft speeches for Congresswoman Yamakawa Yuriko in the House including Speeches on TPP11 and other crucial decision of the current regime.

信仰歴 Christian Faith

  • 1981.05.18 Baptized at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Houston, TX.
    • Conducted by Rev. Arch Hewitt (Joined the Choir)
  • 1981.06-07 Appointed to Camp Counselor at Camp Allen, Diocese of Texas, Episcopal Church (Supervised by Rev. Seth)
  • 1988.02 Transferred Church Membership to Shakujii Gospel Church in Nerima, Tokyo
    • Rev. Tamai Kunimi (belonged to Youth Group and Choir)
  • 2002.06 Transferred Church Membership to Soka Riverside Chapel in Soka, Saitama
    • Rev. Amano Hiromasa (belongs to Men’s Cell Group)
  • 2018 Founded Peacemakers Forum
  • 2018 Appointed to Board Member, CBMC Japan
  • 2019 Appointed to Vice Chairman, National Director of NPB, CBMC Japan.
  • 2019 Appointed to Central Committee Member, the 2020 Global Mission Consultation and Celebration in Tokyo
  • Student, JTJ Missionary Cemenary majoring in theology

地元活動 Local Activities

  • President, The Japan-Malta Friendship Association
  • Vice President, CBMC Japan (Chairman of NPB Handling Committee)
  • Chairman, Soka UNESCO Association
  • Board Member, Soka City International Exchange Association
  • Board Member, Soka Music Festival Handling Committee
  • Section Leader, Music & Dance Section, International Village “Ichiban-chi”
  • Member, Soka-Matsubara Rotary Club
  • Soka Junior Chamber OB (JCI Senator)
  • Former Camp Counselor, Camp Allen (Diocese of Texas, Episcopal Church)