Shinnosuke Fujikawa, Japan’s ‘God of Elections,’ Passes Away at 71

Shinnosuke Fujikawa, aged 71 and renowned as the “God of Elections,” sadly passed away in the early hours of the 11th at a Tokyo hospital where he had been receiving treatment.


For many years, Fujikawa has played a pivotal role as a strategist in various elections, significantly contributing to the success and triumph of candidates. During the Tokyo gubernatorial election last July, he backed the candidacy of Shinji Ishimaru, the former mayor of Akitakata City in Hiroshima Prefecture, who secured second place, surpassing Renho, a prominent former member of the House of Councillors. During the presidential election of the LDP last autumn, he expressed his support for Sanae Takaichi.

On February 12th of this year, she was present at the press conference marking the establishment of the “12 (Wan Nyan) Peace Party,” founded by Dewi Sukarno, a well-known figure and advocate for animal rights, commonly referred to as “Mrs. Dewi.” As we approach the House of Councillors election this summer, she conveyed her optimism, stating, “We will secure at least two or three seats.” Should it be feasible, five seats would be ideal.
A source familiar with the situation has indicated that Fujikawa was suffering from a chronic illness, and his condition had deteriorated since approximately February. He had been admitted to the hospital. Yusuke Sato

Transitioning from a “far-right student” to a secretary, city council member, and a “god of elections”

Following the Tokyo gubernatorial election of the previous year, the journalist was afforded the chance to conduct several exclusive interviews with Fujikawa.

Fujikawa remarked to the journalist, “I was initially a far-right student.” He held the conviction that “Japan ought to liberate itself from the whims of the United States,” and sought to amend the “Constitution of Japan, which was thrust upon the nation by the American occupying forces.” He remarked that he drew inspiration from the writer Yukio Mishima and “fully engaged with conservative thought.”

Mr. Fujikawa hails from the vibrant city of Osaka. Upon completing his university education at the age of 23, he took on the role of secretary to a member of the House of Representatives within the Tanaka faction of the LDP. By the age of 37, he had transitioned to serve two terms as a city council member in Osaka. Subsequently, he engaged in political activities, notably collaborating with Ichiro Ozawa, who had departed from the LDP. He claims that the success rate in the elections he participated in exceeded 80%, culminating in 130 victories and 16 defeats by the conclusion of 2024.

Alongside his role as Ishimaru’s election advisor during last summer’s Tokyo gubernatorial election, he also lent his support to Sanae Takaichi’s campaign, who progressed to the runoff against Shigeru Ishiba in the LDP presidential election held last autumn. Prior to the House of Representatives election last autumn, he is said to have shared his expertise from the Tokyo gubernatorial election, including strategies for managing social media, with Yuichiro Tamaki, the leader of the Democratic Party for the People.

He often enjoys drinks with leaders of national political parties and candidly divulges “inside stories of the political world” to reporters.

Following the Tokyo gubernatorial election, he remarked, “Ishimaru is no longer fit for the role.”

In an interview conducted in August of the previous year, following the Tokyo gubernatorial election, he remarked to a reporter, “Ishimaru is no good anymore,” implying that he had lost faith in Ishimaru.
When questioned about his assertion that it was “no good,” he articulated his discontent with Ishimaru’s political position. He has been rather sluggish in taking action following the election. Starting a new party is certainly no small undertaking. It’s time for us to take action without delay.

In an interview conducted last December, he conveyed a sense of sympathy for the new party that Ishimaru announced he would establish, remarking, “If he’s going to do it, I want it to be a success.” However, it was quite notable how he consistently lambasted Ishimaru’s messages, asserting that they “lack substance.”