Yuri Fujikawa: The world’s most beautiful politician
Since my last article on her reaching number one in the 20minutos “most beautiful politician in the world” survey received a lot of hits, I decided to translate her page on Japanese Wikipedia to English.
Yuri Fujikawa (藤川 優里 Fujikawa Yuri, nicknamed the beautiful city assemblywoman; born on March 8, 1980) is a politician and a city council member in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. She is an independent conservative and is a member of the Liberal Democratic Club.
Her father is a former vice chairman of the Hachinohe city council.
Political career
Yuri announced her intentions to run as an independent candidate on the Hachinohe city council ballot five days before the announcement of the election. What triggered her to run for city council was her father’s second election loss on April 2007, in the Aomori Prefectural Assembly election.
On April 22, 2007, she led all candidates with an election record of 6962 votes. She is currently serving as a member of the city’s special committee “To promote Hachinohe as a leading environmental city” and the “citizen welfare committee” (民生常任委員会委員 and 環境先進都市推進特別委員会委員).
Taking the top spot in her first election
After graduating from Teikyo University, she thought of becoming a politician’s secretary, however, she did not because her father had hoped she would become a housewife. During her father’s election in 2003, she worked as a “miss nightingale,” a campaign girl. After her father’s loss on April 8, 2007, while calling to express gratitude for their support, she announced to her father’s supporters that she wanted to run for city council in two weeks time.
Yuri’s mother and father were opposed to her running, but on April 10, after prostrating (dogeza) herself in front of her parents; her father recognized her intentions for candidacy. It is said, later that night, they went to a photo studio to take photos for her election posters.
Influenced by her mother and her mother’s group – a group that focuses on advancing the nursing-care insurance system, reducing the cost of nursing care services and insurance, and the review of such services – Yuri called for the creation of a nursing facility for sick children.
It is said that on the rainy Election Day, she waited for the results in her room – which did not have a TV – fearing the weather would decrease the amount of swing votes she received. Out of the 47 candidates fighting for 36 city council slots, she was the top vote getter with almost double the votes of the second place candidate’s 3665 votes with 6962 votes – a city record. She was also the first woman in her 20s to be elected to Hachinohe’s city council; and thanks to an increase in young voters, it was the highest voter turnout in 12 years (56%).
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Name: Yuri Fujikawa
Occupation: Politician
Birth date: March 8, 1980 (age 29)
Birthplace: Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, Japan
Education: Graduated from Teikyo University with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology
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Terms in office:
She is currently serving her first term (May 2007 – present)
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Political policies and activities:
Her slogan is to “build a good city, good people, and good food culture.”
On December 12, 2007, for the first time in her career, she interpellated at the Hachinohe city assembly. She asked questions about medical and welfare administration and disaster counter-measures.
She endorsed a consumer group “Tanpopo,” a group that promotes cooking seminars and other activities. She also participates in their seminars.
She attended the “Northern Tohoku’s Young Council Members Meeting”and worked to build cooperation with other young council members.
She is currently serving her first term (May 2007 – present) ——————————————————————–
Physical characteristics:
Height: 160 Centimeters (5’3”)
Hobbies and skills:
She took lessons in ballet, calligraphy, abacus, and swimming. She played the clarinet in her school’s wind instrument club.
Hobbies: Photography, mountain climbing, fishing, and watching DVDs.
Likes:
Favorite slogan: To be the land that produces the most flowers???
Favorite flower: Lily
Favorite color: White
Favorite food: Fresh strawberry juice
Favorite actress: Kirsten Dunst
A book that made a deep impression on you: Marie Antoinette’s biography
People I admire: My parents
Politician I admire: Yuuji Tsushima (津島 雄二Tsushima Yuuji ) and Shingo Mimura (三村申吾 Mimura Shingo)
Loves: My father and Hachinohe city
What’s your ideal man: I like men who think positively and have a balance of confidence and competence.
