Seijuro Akashi

In this Teikonian name, the family name is Akashi.

His Excellency Seijuro Akashi
赤司 征十郎
Akashi in 2009
54th Daijō-daijin
In office 11 April 2009 – 29 November 2021
Monarch	Kazuhito Kiyoshi
Preceded by	Izaya Orihara
Succeeded by	Koyomi Araragi
Governor of Rakuzan
In office 1 December 2021 – 10 July 2023
Preceded by	Uryu Ishida
Succeeded by	Kensuke Fukui
President of the National Party
In office 5 April 2009 – 30 September 2021
Preceded by	Izaya Orihara
Succeeded by	Koyomi Araragi
Minister for Interior and Home Affairs
In office 16 August 2007 – 11 April 2009
Daijō-daijin	Izaya Orihara
Preceded by	Yoshifuda Toriyama
Succeeded by	Misogi Kumagawa
Member of the Royal Council
In office 11 August 2001 – 25 November 2021
Preceded by	Hiyato Mikagami
Succeeded by	Yaboku Yato
Constituency	Rakuzan 4th
Personal details
Born	赤司 征十郎 (Akashi Seijuro) (1981-12-20) 20 December 1981 Rakuzan, Teiko
Political party	National
Spouse	Kouki Furihata ​ ​ (m. 2014)​
Children	Hayato Akashi
Parents	Masahito Akashi Hisako Akashi
Relatives	Akashi clan
Alma mater	University of Kaijo (BA & JD)

Accredited Featured Article

Month Accredited	October 2016

Seijuro Akashi (赤司 征十郎, Akashi Seijuro, born 20 December 1981) is a Teikonian businessman, entrepreneur and retired politician. He is the head of the prominent Akashi clan and serves as the chairman of Akashi Group. Akashi had previously served as the 54th Daijō-daijin and President of the National Party from 2009 to 2021 as well as Governor of Rakuzan from 2021 to 2023. He is the youngest to date to hold both government posts and the first openly homosexual head of government in the modern times. He is also the first Daijō-daijin to be born after World War 2. In 2018, he became the first Daijō-daijin to serve five terms. On 20 January 2019, he surpassed his granduncle Kouzo Akashi becomming the longest serving post-war Daijō-daijin in the country. On 26 May 2020, Akashi was a target of an assassination attempt resulting in his inability to render the duties and responsibilities of office. Akashi's assassination attempt has precipitated a national political and economic crisis. In April 2023, Akashi announced his intention to resign as governor to take his official duties as head of the Akashi clan. He was a Member of the Royal Council for Rakuzan 4th from 2001 until 2021.

Akashi is a graduate of the University of Kaijo where he graduated with the highest honors. During the 2001 Law Bar Exam, Akashi garnered a raw score of 99.82%, the highest rating ever achieved such exam. As member of a politically prominent family, Akashi first joined the Royal Council after winning a seat in the 2001 general elections. He rose to become Minister of Interior and Home Affairs under Izaya Orihara in 2007. In 2009, Akashi with the support of his mentor Orihara won the National Party leadership election. Akashi was called a dark horse candidate as his election was unprecedented. He was subsequently led the party in a historic win in the 2009 general elections with the party winning 168 seats and more than 60% of the popular of the vote, the most won by a single party in the country's election history.

During his first term as Daijō-daijin, Akashi pushed for a globally competitive Teiko. In his term, foreign policy was relaxed and the country joined the Alliance of Independent Nations. He also began to increase government spending in infrastructure and education as the country was coming out of the 2008 financial crisis. Landmarks legislation during his first terms includes Teiko Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2011, Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, Same Sex Marriage Act of 2014 which legalized same-sex marriage in the country and Foreign Policy Conscription Act that required foreign born neutralized Teiko citizens to serve in the military for at most two years. In early January 2015, Akashi signed the Anti-Political Dynasty Act earning praises from the general public and the government of Atlantic Federation and Septemtrionale.

During the first half of his second term, Akashi has sought to gain support for the Revised Peerage Act in response to the growing anomalies within the Kazoku system. He had also fostered stronger bilateral relationship with other members of the Alliance of Independent Nations to boost the national economy including the accession of the country to the Liberal Monarchist Bloc in 2016, signing of free-trade agreements, and co-founding of the Teiko-Oka-Nakama trilateral summit in 2017, the foremost forum of regional cooperation in Far East Asia. He also centered on heavy promotion of the country through the hosting of AIN Expo 2017 and expansion of the the Teiko Trade and Investment Board which resulted in record number of foreign tourists. In domestic policies, Akashi focused on enhancing the country's labor force and youth development policies to curtail the increasing suicide rates among Teikonian youth and workers. He had also received criticisms for pushing with the controversial Sibyl Project.

Outside of politics, Akashi enjoys indulging himself with charity work through the Akashi Foundation and playing Shogi. He is married to former Minister for Transportation Kouki Furihata. The couple adopted Hayato Akashi in 2016, Hayato is currently the youngest professional shogi player in the country. Akashi has been recognized as one of the most powerful people in AIN by financial and political magazine Onodera appearing in the list since 2014. He was also named as the Teiko Shinbun's Person of the Year in 2015 for going beyond his call of duty in service of the Teikonian people, for standing firm against bias judgments and uplifting the individual rights of the citizens and for providing a great example of passionate and just leadership where the political scene is normally short of.

Early life and education

Akashi was born to a prominent political family in Konoha, Rakuzan, on 20 December 1981. His father Tadatoshi Akashi was the governor of Rakuzan and his mother Amaya Sasaki is the daughter of Takashi Sasaki, chairman and president of Sasaki Industrials. Many of Akashi's relatives were also in politics, his uncle Masahito Akashi was member of the Royal Council, his paternal grandfather Kouzo Akashi and paternal great-grandfather Ryuichi Akashi were Daijō-daijin. He is a distant relative to Ryuunosuke Akashi and Noboyuki Akashi who both served as Sangdaedeungs.

In October 1985, Akashi survived a vehicular accident along Yagamo Road (now Daisuke Niwa Avenue) near Tonaibata but lost both his parents at age of 4. The ensuing death led to a lengthy and highly publicized trial between the Akashi clan and the Sasaki family for child custody. During this time, Akashi spent the majority of his childhood at the Akashi ancestral house in Rakuzan. In August 1988, the court granted custody and parental authority to both the Akashi clan and the Sasaki family with his uncle Masahito Akashi becomming the legal guardian until Akashi reaches the age of majority.

Akashi went to the prestigious Ouran Academy for his elementary, middle school, and high school education. In Ouran, he became acquainted with children from other prominent families including Suzaku Kururugi, Hikaru Hitachiin, Kaoru Hitachiin, Akira Kurusu, and Prince Nakagawa. Akashi pursued his college education at the University of Kaijo. In 2000, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in law and continued to pursue a doctorate degree. Akashi completed his graduate studies in 2005 and earned his doctorate degree in law, becoming one of the first Teikonians to able to achieve such. He was one of the students of University of Kaijo professor of economics, Izaya Orihara. In 2001, Akashi set the record for the highest rating in the national law bar exam with a rating of 99.82%.

During his high school and college years, Akashi was an active youth leader and volunteer. He was also voted as president of the University of Kaijo Student Council and Rakuzan Youth Council, the head organization of all student body organizations and youth councils in Teiko. Akashi was also the student body president of Ouran Academy since his second year and was a recipient of the Outstanding Young Men and Women of Teiko Award in the field of community development, the highest endowment that can be given to any civilian in the criteria by the national government. Seeing his potential as a politician and with the support of his professor and future mentor Izaya Orihara, Akashi decided to enter politics.

Early political career

In August 2001, Akashi announced his intention to run for a Royal Council seat in the 2001 general elections. His announcement was immediately criticized by Nobukazo Kotabe, a member of the Royal Council for Rakuzan.

In August 2001, Akashi was elected to the Royal Council representing Rakuzan 4th in a landslide victory. During his first term as a legislator, Akashi has authored, co-authored and passed multiple bills including granting annual productivity incentives to all workers in the private sector, strengthening the regulatory power of the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Board towards multi-national corporations, increasing the penalties for non-compliance of the prescribed increases and adjustments in the wage rates of workers, providing for the codification of criminal laws, inquiry in aid of legislation into the policies and processes of the Energy Regulatory Commission in granting rate increases to electric utilities.

In 2002, Akashi gained further national prestige for the proposed Teiko National Framework Agreement which aims to realign government functions. The ruling National Party was split on the bill. Daijō-daijin Izaya supported the proposal but met strong opposition within the different factions in the party. The proposal was eventually defeated in the second reading.

In November 2003, Akashi was re-elected to the Royal Council representing Rakuzan 4th with an even bigger margin compared to his 2001 general elections performance. During his second term, Akashi became the Chairman of the Daijō-kan Oversight Committee. Amidst public outroar and despite pressure from fellow Royal Council members, Akashi began the investigation over the alleged corruption involving purchase of overprice goods within the Ministry of Interior and Home Affairs.

Akashi was re-elected to a third term in 2006. In August 2007, he resigned his committee chairmanship to join the Daijō-kan as Minister for Interior and Home Affairs.

Minister for Interior and Home Affairs

In April 2007, the resignation of Minister for Interior and Home Affairs Toriyama Yoshifuda have severely affected public trust and satisfaction towards the Orihara government. Former Sangdaedeung Leon Fuwata publicly recommended that neophyte legislator Seijuro Akashi be appointed to the position. At that time, Akashi despite being popular had just completed his first term in the Royal Council. The recommendation was met with mixed reactions and in August 2007, Akashi was appointed by Orihara to complete the last remaining three years in office. The appointment was heavily criticized by the Democratic Party of Teiko and the Liberal Party of Teiko.

During his time as minister, Akashi took responsibility in resolving the alleged overpriced procurement of equipment within the Ministry of Interior and Home Affairs. Akashi ensured a series of investigation conducted by the Bureau of Investigation and the Ministry of Justice remained independent and on track. The joint investigation revealed that Toriyama Yoshifuda acted in due process and that bidding for the equipment was conducted in a fair manner which led to his acquittal of the corruption and plunder charges. However, several critics remained skeptic of the decision.

As Minister for Interior and Home Affairs, one of the main programs Akashi led is the strengthening of the National Police Agency. Akashi also pursued improvements in border control especially with the regions that has special arrangements with Oka.

In September 2009, Akashi was being touted as the next Sangdaedeung but he declined and ran for the party leadership instead on the same year.

Daijō-daijin

Main article: Chancellorship of Seijuro Akashi

Seijuro Akashi is the longest serving Daijō-daijin in the country as the first to serve five terms. His election as the 54th Daijō-daijin was held on 11 April 2009. He survived three leadership challenges, 2013, 2015 and 2018 respectively. In his first term, Akashi retained a lot of ministers from the previous Orihara government in his first Daijō-kan, many see this as evidence of the strong influence of Daijō-daijin Izaya Orihara on his protégé. In his first speech during the state opening of the Royal Council, Akashi called upon the Royal Council to enact new policies strengthening foreign relations, infrastructure development and women empowerment. Akashi shifted more to the left late in his time in office as Daijō-daijin.

In November 2018, the National Party suffered its worst defeat in the 2018 general elections winning only 114 seats which is less than the required 126 seats for a majority. In the aftermath of elections, some members of the party called for Akashi's resignation as leader. The party held a close door meeting to discuss the matter. Later, leaked papers revealed that Akashi promised to share power with other factions within the party and that he will be stepping down before the next general elections, in exchange for their support.

In December 2018, Akashi was elected as Daijō-daijin for a historic fifth time. Akashi made a deal with the Social Democratic and Green Party for supply and confidence.

In September 2021, Akashi stepped down as party president and became caretaker Daijō-daijin until the next Daijō-daijin was elected in the aftermath of the 2021 general elections.

Domestic policy

Akashi signed several controversial acts in his first tenure. Among these includes the SSM Act which legalizes same-sex marriage in Teiko and the Ant-Political Dynasty acts which many critics call as hypocritical given his current status as member of the Akashi Clan. Among others, he also disallowed naturalization of foreigners. Instead giving them an honorary Teikonian citizen status which may be removed depending on their status as citizens in the country and their fulfillment of their duty and responsibilities which includes mandatory military conscription for at most two years.

Akashi also had invested heavily on space exploration through the Teiko Space Agency under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Among these include Teppei, the first Teikonian rover to be sent to Mars by 2016.

LGBT rights and same-sex marriage

In 2014, Akashi signed the Sex Marriage Act of 2014 which recognized same-sex marriage across the country. Akashi being the first openly homosexual head of government supported the protection and equal rights of sexual minorities. Akashi also appointed the most number of openly homosexual ministers of state in the country's history.

Economic policy

In 2014, Akashi led a dialogue with the Bank of Teiko that resulted in a plan to cut the interest rates by 100 basis points in four quarters designed to alleviate the growing impact of the economic recession in Japan. In the same year, Akashi also signed the reinvestment act and tax relief packages to increase Teiko's purchasing power. Throughout the Akashi's term, the country heavily invested its international reserves through the International Monetary Fund as credit to the worsening economic recession in the European Union. From 2009 until 2022, the Teiko GDP grew by almost 8% annually with the GDP doubling to US$1.6 trillion by end of 2021 compared to the time when Akashi took office.

Foreign policy

During Akashi's tenure, the Federal Kingdom of Teiko was adopted into the Alliance of Independent Nations. He then recommended Kyouya Sata who became the first Director of the Alliance Public Service Agency in February 2015. Teiko enjoyed continuous smooth foreign relationships with New Duveland and Neu Westfalen as well as Japan and South Korea. Akashi announced that although he might lift the visa policy towards Neu Westfalen and New Duveland, he cannot assure both as of the moment. As of April 2015, the Ministry of Internal and External Communications announced lighter requirements for the visa policy, as Teiko continues to build stronger ties with Oceania. Akashi also opened foreign relations with the communist Septemtrionale after years of political dormancy.

Governor of Rakuzan

In November 2021, Akashi was elected as Governor of Rakuzan. He took his office in December 2021.

In July 2023, Akashi resigned as governor and was succeeded by former Sangdaedeung Kensuke Fukui. Akashi in his resignation speech also announced his retirement from politics.

Akashi Group

Akashi in 2024

In November 2023, Seijuro Akashi was elected as chairman of the Akashi Group together with his cousins Shun Akashi and Yanqi Akashi being elected as board members. In his acceptance speech, Akashi sought to expand the company's interest in the fields of technology, finance, and bioengineering. He also aims for Akashi Group to expand in more markets in Europe, America, and in Africa. He also emphasized that Akashi Group despite its size and immense influence will not interfere with the economic and financial policies of the government. Akashi refused to answer however if he will continue to support the political career of his brother, Yaboku Yato.

Cultural and political image

Many political pundits and commentators have called Akashi as one of the most flamboyant politicians in Teiko. In an article published by Onodera, the magazine has described Akashi as although straightforward and strict, he has presents himself to his fellow Teikonians as a cheerful and approachable leader. Many critics also notes that Akashi may have dual personality and when asked about the issue, Akashi told an August 2011 meeting of the National Psychological Summit that "..then again when we can never have an objective definition of what it is and I would rather divert my attention than discuss an unfathomable issue." His continuous evasion of the issue finally led to an impeachment case against him for the grounds of being mentally unstable in 2012. However, the case was dropped three months after it was submitted for the lack of evidence. Until today, Akashi doesn't comment much regarding his alleged dissociative identity disorder.

Akashi is frequently referred to as a natural intellectual and strategist by the media and his peers. Many of those who call him such title is supports their claims using Akashi's high rating during the 2001 Law Bar Exam and his collegiate transcript of records. The latter indicates that Akashi has never got a grade of below A- in both his undergraduate and post-graduate years. He has also a good record of winning national competitions both the fields of Go, Shogi and Chess. Mensa International has estimated that Akashi may have an IQ of 190 at par of those of Gary Kasparov and higher than Albert Einstein.

Akashi is also a good orator as noted by the Teiko Shinbun. He is exceptionally well known for giving out superb impromptu and extemporaneous speeches. Most of his peers noted that majority of his prepared speeches are memorized and Akashi would dare give out the speech without a copy. Tomori Yukari, his former speech writer once noted that in one of the events that Akashi was supposed to give a speech, she forgot to prepare it earlier and wrote it in impromptu. Later that night during the event, she was shocked to see Akashi relaying the speech all from memory which is all in all, 9 pages.

Although normally strict in handling fiscal and domestic policies, Akashi's level of tolerance vary form one issue to another and also considering the situation. Akashi is the only Daijō-daijin to have publicly supported the legalization of illegal drugs, same-sex marriage, abortion and death penalty. Although in one his speeches he also mentioned that "...People who cannot bring in contribution to their country and continually becomes a part of the societal problem should be removed...". Critics note that sometimes Akashi is very sarcastic and although he is in favor of many liberal ideologies, Akashi remains to be a firm believer of socialism and authoritarianism in practice. In lined with many of his speeches, critics then also notes that Akashi has this theory of societal niche in which he believes that everyone has their role to play and those who don't must be eradicated.

Akashi has also favored to lower taxation in Teiko especially those who are living in meager income, a standard that Akashi has never defined. He notes that taxation will only bring burden to the people rather than help them develop economically. Although taxation in Teiko remains relatively high, the percentage of tax has decreased significantly in his term. He also believes that income inequality is must solved problem of the modern times and should not just be neglected. His proposal to raise wages for blue-collar jobs was met with mixed criticism both from the public and private sector.

On issues regarding education and health, Akashi said in an interview with Teiko Television Network that he is a firm believer on equal opportunities. He believes that all Teikonians should have equal access to adequate health care and education despite of economic and cultural status. In the same interview, Akashi also mentioned guiding principle for foreign relations in which he believes that the stabilization of the state is the most important agenda before deciding to participate in the international arena, "One must know his limits and should work on from there before he can achieve greater heights..." Akashi also favors expressionism, abstract art, and avant-garde experimentation in art and literature much to the public's surprise.

In 2014, Akashi announced his support for government surveillance which was met with several negative criticism from netizens and the public. This comes after documents released by Teiko Bunshun showed the magnitude of Teiko Special Advisory Board surveillance on its people. Akashi stated that the first and foremost duty of the state is to maintain its survival and the respect to privacy of its constituents comes second to that. He also assured the public that there is no harm done during the surveillance and only vital information is being collected.

Political views and philosophy

Religion

Seijuro Akashi is an agnostic theist by religion although he also believes in Shintoism which has sprung from his close relations with the Kamisato clan. In 2012, he wrote in an article for Teiko Shinbun that he "was neither raised in a religious household nor does he want to be either". Akashi described his uncle as being detached from religion, yet "in many ways the most spiritually awakened person that I have ever known." He also described his aunt as a "confirmed atheist" basing in her actions and lifestyle. Akashi explained that despite his friends and other relatives convince him of a certain religion, he came to understand that religion by per se is not the most important thing in life but rather the attachment to a deity and each one is accustomed to believe in his own and figure out for oneself who god is.

Despite his unbelief in religion, Akashi met with a lot religious leaders to discus spirituality. Naoto Kun, a Japanese pastor once mentioned in his weekly articles that Akashi is not an close minded individual and his heart is open for any religion that may be given to him. Akashi confirmed the claims in October 2010 and simply shrugged the statements off. In 2012, however, he mentioned that he will no longer be meeting with with Kun after the latter gave another set of controversial statements against Akashi prior to the 2011 general elections.

Personal life

In a 2013 interview, Akashi highlighted the diversity of his extended family: "Although I do not have a family of my own yet, the Akashi Clan is very much like a little AIN if not more like UN and the daily dealings includes the World War 2 and Hundred Years War to be more precise.", he said. "It's so funny to think that when people actually talk about the Akashi Clan, all they get is fear and hatred when in fact majority of my family members are weirder and funnier than you thought they would be." Akashi has six uncles in his father side and two aunt which among them includes several key people like Ryuichi Akashi and Kouzo Akashi who both served ass 17th and 19th Daijō-daijin respectively, Masahito Akashi, a prominent Teiko businessman, Kobayashi Akashi, former Sangdaedeung and Ryoko Akashi, former Daijō-kan member. In history books, it is very much noted that the Akashi Clan played a vital role in the formation of modern Teiko after the World War 2.

In his youth, Seijuro Akashi was known as "Sei" among his family and friends, but asked to be addressed with his surname during his college years as it was the status quo. Besides his native Japanese, Akashi is a polyglot who can speak fluently in Korean, English, Chinese and some basic Thai, Greek, Latin and German. Majority of the foreign language was learned through college and was polished via self-teaching. Akashi also enjoys and literature and writes novels and essays in his free times. As of 2014, Akashi have published two books after his college graduation, Life Beyond Limits and The Call.

Akashi loves to plays basketball, a sport he participated in as a member of his high school's varsity team in Rakuzan National High School wherein he won three major consecutive tournaments as captain; he is ambidextrous. He is also a supporter of the Rakuzan Minotaurs, and is a major fan of the Teiko National Basketball League. In 2009, he threw out the ceremonial first basket at the all star game while wearing a Rakuzan Minotaur jersey. He is also primarily a football and baseball fan and have seen to attend several final games of the Teiko Football League and Teiko Baseball Cup. Also as a college athlete, he also advocates sports to all youth and healthy living for all. In 2011, Akashi invited the 1980 Rakuzan Minotaurs to the People's Residence for a courtesy call.

In July 2008, Akashi met Furihata Kouki during a government summit dinner wherein the latter works as department head of Aviation Safety and Regulatory Department under the Ministry of Transportation. Working together with the Royal Council Committee on Transportation, Furihata was assigned under Akashi on August later that year. Furihata declined initial request to date but the two began dating three months afterwards. Although both was hesitant at first, their relationship began to be in public by early 2009. The couple received many critics coming both from the religious sector and the press. After the passage of the Same Sex Marriage Act in March 2014, Akashi married Furihata on a private ceremony at the Kokyo on December 25, 2014. Currently plans for surrogacy has been dropped of the table and the couple will opt to adopt for a male child but there has been no update on this since the press conference after the wedding reception.

In December 2013, Arashi and Kanjani estimated the Akashi clan's net worth at $21.9 billion and Onodera Media publishes in its annual report of Onodera 40 that the Akashi clan headed by Masahito Akashi is the second richest family in Teiko. Their wealth mostly came from corporate holdings, stocks, bonds and other non-liquid investments. Akashi's personal wealth is estimated at $56 million which includes his real estate properties in Shinza. Akashi is also a major philanthropist having given away a total amount of $24 Million since 2011 to different social outreach organizations such Blue Waves, The Habitat and Wammy House Foundation.

Honors, awards and international recognition

Awards

• Outstanding Young Men and Women, 2002. (Teiko)
• 2013 Foreign Policy Top 100 Global Thinkers, 2013. (USA)
• Herman Kahn Award, September 2013. (USA)
• Asian of the Year award, December 2013. (Singapore)
• Time 100 in 2014, April 2014. (USA)
• Teiko Shinbun Person of the Year, 2009. (Teiko)

Family

Seijuro Akashi's father Tadatoshi Akashi served as the governor of Rakuzan from 1980 until his death in 1985. He is the son of Kouzo Akashi who served as Daijō-daijin from 1955 to 1965. Akashi's mother Amaya Sasaki is the daughter of Takashi Sasaki, the fourth generation president and chairman of Sasaki Industrials and great-grandson of the founder, Nobuyuki Sasaki. His uncle and foster father, Masahito Akashi served as the chairman of Akashi Group and founded Kronos Heaven Technologies and International Container Terminal. Akashi have one younger sibling, Yaboku Yato who is the biological child of Masahito Akashi.

Akashi married Kouki Furihata in 2015. Furihata is bureaucrat, mechanical engineer and aviation enthusiast. Following his departure from the corporate world, he had served as commissioner of the Aviation Safety and Regulatory Department under the Ministry of Transportation. He is known as the silent shadow due to his strong support for his husband's policies and views but is known to give relatively few comments in public media. Following his marriage, Furihata opted to leave politics and focused instead on planning for their parenthood. In 2016, the couple adopted Hayato Akashi who is known for being the youngest professional shogi player in the country.

Ancestry

Family of Seijuro Akashi
8. Ryuichi Akashi 4. Kouzo Akashi 9. Tamiko Akashi 2. Tadatoshi Akashi 10. Yoshikazu Miyano 5. Ochiyo Miyano 22. Takeshi Fuji 11. Ōshima Fuji 1. Seijuro Akashi 24. Nobuyuki Sasaki 12. Isaburo Sasaki 6. Takashi Sasaki 13. Shigeyo Kitagawa 3. Amaya Sasaki 7. Miyo Sasaki