Ken Akamatsu Steps Down as Education Vice Minister
Manga artist and politician Ken Akamatsu announced on X that he has finished his time as Parliamentary Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. He has handed the role over to Masato Shimizu.
On the same day, Akamatsu took up new duties as a member of the House of Councillors, joining several committees, including ones focused on education and science, administrative oversight, consumer affairs, support for children and young people, and natural resources and a sustainable society.
He marked another milestone recently as well, celebrating the 27th anniversary of his manga Love Hina, which first appeared on October 21, 1998. Akamatsu had been appointed to the vice minister post back in 2024, during an early cabinet meeting under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, Akamatsu made history as the first manga creator to win a seat in Japan’s upper house. Throughout his time in office he has concentrated on issues that affect Japanese creators, such as the much debated freelance invoice tax system.
His path into politics began in 2011, when he warned that proposed changes to Japan’s copyright law could devastate derivative dōjin, or self published, works. Those comments grew out of wider discussion at the time around international trade talks and how they might touch creative communities.
My take: It is genuinely heartening to see someone with real roots in manga advocating for creators from inside government. I hope his successor keeps those same concerns close.
