Yuu Yanase

In this Teikonian name, the family name is Yanase.

Yuu Yanase
柳瀬 優
Yanase in 2014
Minister for Transportation
In office 25 December 2014 – 28 September 2015
Daijō-daijin	Seijuro Akashi
Preceded by	Kouki Furihata
Succeeded by	Hidenori Tabata
Governor of the Bank of Teiko
In office 28 December 2004 – 25 December 2014
Daijō-daijin	Izaya Orihara Seijuro Akashi
Preceded by	Hanabi Ikuta
Succeeded by	Yoga Kimimaro
Minister for Utilities and National Development
In office 8 February 1999 – 18 October 2004
Daijō-daijin	Teppei Arashi Yamato Naoe
Preceded by	Kosei Tsuburaba
Succeeded by	Tooru Hagakure
Minister for Regional Economic Planning and Development
In office 15 October 1997 – 8 February 1999
Daijō-daijin	Kinshiro Kusatsu
Preceded by	Souichirou Hata
Succeeded by	Takahashi Kakuzo
Member of the Royal Council
In office 15 October 1985 – 18 October 2004
Constituency	Kamizaki PR
Personal details
Born	柳瀬 優 (Yanase Yuu) (1955-07-20) 20 July 1955 Sendai, Kamizaki, Teiko
Political party	National
Spouse	Chiaki Yoshino ​ ​ (m. 2015)​
Children	Kaito Yanase
Alma mater	University of Kaijo (BA)

Yuu Yanase (柳瀬 優, Yanase Yuu, born 20 July 1955) is a retired Teikonian politician, bureaucrat, economist, and central banker who served as the 27th Governor of the Bank of Teiko from 2004 to 2014. Prior to his appointment in the Bank of Teiko, Yanase have held multiple ministerial positions under different governments. He is the first openly homosexual head of a central bank in the modern times.

Political career

Yanase was first elected to the Royal Council on 15 October 1985 under the banner of the newly formed National Party.

Yanase retired from politics in October 2004.

Minister for Regional Economic Planning and Development

In February 1999, Yanase was appointed Minister for Regional Economic Planning and Development by Daijō-daijin Kinshiro Kusatsu.

Minister for Utilities and National Development

In February 1999, Yanase was appointed Minister for Utilities and National Development by Daijō-daijin Teppei Arashi and would later be reappointed to the same portfolio by Daijō-daijin Yamato Naoe.

Bank of Teiko

In December 2014, Yanase was appointed Governor of the Bank of Teiko. His appointment came as a surprise as many policy makers, investors and Bank of Teiko watchers did not expect his appointment. During that time, his name was not the list of potential successors that circulated in the media. His appointment was also controversial as Yanase became the first politician to have been appointed to the position.

During his term as governor, the Bank of Teiko played a more active role in capturing foreign direct investments in manufacturing and services. The Bank of Teiko also supported the Akashi government's plan to transform Kaijo into a world-class financial center rivaling Singapore and Hong Kong.

Yanase left the post in December 2014 after serving almost ten years in the position. He is currently the only governor to have completed the allowed maximum two terms.

Minister for Transportation

In December 2014, Yanase briefly returned to politics upon the request of Daijō-daijin Seijuro Akashi. Yanase replaced outgoing Minister for Transportation Kouki Furihata who decided to leave politics after entering into marriage with Akashi.

Personal life

Yuu Yanase is married to Chiaki Yoshino. The two men married in 2015 after more than 20 years of being in a relationship. The couple have an adopted son, Kaito Yanase who is a member of the Royal Council.