NEW YORK: Ryosuke Takashima, mayor of Ashiya, a city in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, is among Time’s 100 most influential emerging people, according to the list released by the United States magazine on Tuesday (Sept 30).
Takashima, who became the youngest-ever mayor in Japan at age 26 in 2023, was chosen in the category of leaders of the 2025 Time100 Next list of the world’s most influential rising stars.
“In Japan, a country shaped by its gerontocratic politics, Ryosuke Takashima is breaking the mold,” the magazine said.
“Takashima has prioritised reforms that benefit younger generations,” it said.
The magazine added, “He has also emphasised transparency, holding open dialogues so that constituents feel heard and understand the changes being made.”
Japanese people who have been listed in the past include lawmaker Shinjiro Koizumi and Rina Gonoi, a former member of Japan’s Self-Defence Forces who spoke out about sexual abuse by male colleagues. - Jiji Press
