Toshimitsu Motegi
Toshimitsu Motegi (茂木 敏充, Motegi Toshimitsu, born 7 October 1955) is a Japanese politician who has been the Minister for Foreign Affairs since 21 October 2025. He was foreign minister before from 11 September 2019 until 4 November 2021.[1] He was Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry from 2012 to 2014. He is also a member of the House of Representatives since 1993. From 2021 to 2024, Motegi was the Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Toshimitsu Motegi | |
|---|---|
茂木 敏充 | |
 Motegi in 2014 | |
| Minister for Foreign Affairs | |
| Assumed office 21 October 2025 | |
| Prime Minister | Sanae Takaichi |
| Preceded by | Takeshi Iwaya |
| In office 11 September 2019 – 4 November 2021 | |
| Prime Minister | Shinzo Abe Yoshihide Suga Fumio Kishida |
| Preceded by | Tarō Kōno |
| Succeeded by | Yoshimasa Hayashi |
| Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party | |
| In office 4 November 2021 – 30 September 2024 | |
| President | Fumio Kishida |
| Vice President | Tarō Asō |
| Preceded by | Akira Amari |
| Succeeded by | Hiroshi Moriyama |
| Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy | |
| In office 3 August 2017 – 11 September 2019 | |
| Prime Minister | Shinzo Abe |
| Preceded by | Nobuteru Ishihara |
| Succeeded by | Yasutoshi Nishimura |
| Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry | |
| In office 26 December 2012 – 3 September 2014 | |
| Prime Minister | Shinzo Abe |
| Preceded by | Yukio Edano |
| Succeeded by | Yūko Obuchi |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office 19 July 1993 | |
| Preceded by | Multi-member district |
| Constituency | Tochigi 2nd (1993–1996) Tochigi 5th (1996–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 October 1955
(aged 70) Ashikaga, Tochigi, Japan |
| Political party | LDP (since 1994) |
| Other political affiliations | JNP (1993–1994) |
| Alma mater | University of Tokyo Harvard University |
| Signature |  |
| Website | Official website |
Political career
In September 2024, Motegi announced his candidacy for the Liberal Democratic leadership election to replace Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.[2] He lost the election to former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba on 27 September 2024.[3]
In September 2025, after Prime Minister Ishiba's resignation, Motegi became the first person to announce their campaign for the 2025 LDP presidential election.[4] He was eliminated in the first round on 4 October.[5]
After Sanae Takaichi became prime minister, she picked Motegi to be the Minister for Foreign Affairs in her cabinet.[6]
Toshimitsu Motegi Media
Motegi meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken in Tokyo, Japan on 16 March 2021.
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References
- ↑ Bosack, Michael MacArthur. Breaking down Suga's picks for his first Cabinet (in en-US). The Japan Times (2020-09-16). Retrieved 2020-09-16.
- ↑ (in en) Motegi follows his open ambition to seek top LDP post. Asahi Shimbun. 2024-09-04. https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15414084. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
- ↑ 【速報中】自民党新総裁に石破氏 決選投票で高市氏破る (in ja). 日本経済新聞 (2024-09-27). Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ↑ Takahara, Kanako. Race to replace Ishiba kicks off as LDP heavyweight Motegi throws hat into ring (in en). The Japan Times (2025-09-08). Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ Takaichi wins LDP leadership vote; likely to become Japan's first female PM (4 October 2025)The Japan Times. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ↑ Takaichi’s Cabinet Names Rival Koizumi as Defense Minister (21 October 2025)MSN. Retrieved 21 October 2025.