AI Engineer Takahiro Yasuno to Run in Japan's Upper House Election: A Bold Tech-Driven Political Move

In a move signaling the rising influence of technologists in Japan’s political landscape, AI engineer Takahiro Yasuno has announced his candidacy for the upcoming House of Councillors (Upper House) election. Yasuno, who drew national attention by finishing fifth in the 2023 Tokyo gubernatorial race with approximately 150,000 votes, is now taking a more structured approach by founding a political organization and fielding multiple candidates. His aim? To reshape Japanese politics using technology and artificial intelligence.

AI Visionary Takes on National Politics

Takahiro Yasuno, 34, held a press conference in Tokyo on May 8 to announce his candidacy for the proportional representation block in this summer’s Upper House election. Unlike his independent run for governor last year, this time he’s backed by a newly formed political group called “Team Mirai” (Team Future).

Yasuno’s goal isn’t just personal political success—he intends to run at least 10 candidates both in proportional representation and electoral districts, aiming for multiple seats in the National Diet and eventual recognition as an official political party.

His platform centers on leveraging advanced technologies to improve governance, proposing that becoming a lawmaker is the best way to effect change at the national level. Drawing on his background in digital policy development, Yasuno plans to implement a system he calls “Broad Listening”—an AI-based mechanism for analyzing public opinion across diverse communities to craft responsive political pledges.

Despite having no traditional political background, Yasuno made waves during the July 2023 Tokyo gubernatorial election. Running without party affiliation, he captured a significant portion of the electorate—around 150,000 votes—demonstrating strong grassroots appeal, particularly among younger and tech-savvy voters.

Yasuno’s campaign emphasizes transparency, data-driven policymaking, and digital transformation. By proposing to replace traditional political intuition with empirical analysis, he aims to bring objectivity and innovation into a system many see as outdated and resistant to change.

What Undercode Say:

Takahiro Yasuno’s rise is not just a case study in political ambition—it’s a pivotal moment for Japanese democracy. His trajectory reflects a broader societal shift: the integration of artificial intelligence and data science into public policy.

By founding “Team Mirai,” Yasuno positions himself as both a candidate and a movement leader. This structure allows him to scale his vision beyond one seat in the Upper House. Running over 10 candidates suggests Yasuno isn’t just dipping his toe into politics—he’s building infrastructure for long-term engagement. If his party secures the required number of votes, it could become a nationally recognized political entity, qualifying for government subsidies and media coverage.

His “Broad Listening” system merits particular attention. Traditional policymaking relies on polls, lobbying, and slow bureaucratic processes. Yasuno’s approach uses AI to synthesize public opinion from large-scale online data sources, potentially offering real-time insights into public sentiment. If successfully implemented, this could revolutionize the responsiveness of elected officials.

Moreover, his 2023 gubernatorial campaign proved that tech-savvy candidates can mobilize large numbers of voters without party backing, a rare feat in Japan’s traditionally party-dominated political culture.

However, risks remain. Yasuno must prove that his AI-driven strategies are not just technically sound but ethically viable, transparent, and resistant to manipulation. There is also the question of whether voters trust AI to influence core democratic decisions, especially in a political system often slow to adopt rapid technological change.

Another consideration is policy depth. While tech-forward narratives attract media and public attention, voters often seek concrete proposals on healthcare, the economy, and national security. Yasuno will need to show that AI can be a means—not just a buzzword—for addressing those pillars.

Team Mirai has the potential to be Japan’s first tech-native political party. The nation’s aging political class may find itself increasingly challenged by younger, digitally fluent leaders like Yasuno. If his campaign succeeds, it could redefine electoral strategy in Japan, pushing traditional parties to modernize or risk obsolescence.

Fact Checker Results

Takahiro Yasuno did officially announce his candidacy on May 8, 2025.
“Team Mirai” has been established and is actively recruiting candidates for the proportional and district races.
Yasuno’s prior Tokyo gubernatorial run did indeed net around 150,000 votes in 2023, ranking him fifth.

Prediction

If Yasuno and Team Mirai manage to pass the 2% vote threshold in the national proportional representation vote, they could achieve official political party status, unlocking significant resources and institutional legitimacy. His AI-driven platform, while untested at scale, could catalyze a broader wave of digital reform in Japanese politics. Given his strong showing in 2023, Yasuno is poised to attract disillusioned young voters, digital professionals, and those hungry for systemic change—potentially shifting Japan’s political narrative in a data-driven direction.