Anri Kawai Apr 2026

Born in 1973 in Nobeoka, Miyazaki Prefecture, Kawai graduated from Keio University before beginning her political career in local government. She served four terms in the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly, establishing herself as a viable candidate for national office. In 2019, she made the jump to the national stage, running for a seat in the House of Councillors representing Hiroshima. Her campaign was notable for its heavy backing from top Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership, including then-Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga and Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai.

: The scandal is cited as a major blow to the administration of Shinzo Abe and later Yoshihide Suga, highlighting issues of internal party favoritism and the lengths taken to win competitive regional seats. Note on Other Identifiers anri kawai

: On January 20, 2021, the Tokyo District Court found her guilty of violating the Public Offices Election Act. She was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for five years. Born in 1973 in Nobeoka, Miyazaki Prefecture, Kawai

: Both Kawai and her husband were arrested in June 2020. She eventually resigned her seat in the House of Councillors in February 2021. Her campaign was notable for its heavy backing