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A Message from the Governor 

 

Welcome to the Yamanashi Prefecture Website. I am Shomei Yokouchi, Governor of Yamanashi.

Yamanashi Prefecture is located in the center of Japan and, while being part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, it is a veritable “treasure-trove of water and greenery.” Yamanashi is surrounded by famous mountains such as Mt. Fuji, Mt. Yatsugatake and the Southern Alps, and 78% of prefectural land is covered by forests.

Many different fruits are cultivated in Yamanashi’s rich natural environment, and as the top domestic producer of grapes, peaches, and plums, Yamanashi has secured its place as a “Kingdom of Fruit.” There are also many topnotch, brand-name local products that make full use of Yamanashi’s traditional craftsmanship, geography, and climate—such as fine mellow wines, jewelry, and silk products known throughout Japan, not to mention name seals and Koshu Inden dyed leathers.

I hope to further increase production of Yamanashi brands and high-quality products, and publicize them on both domestic and international scales. Playing the role of “head salesperson,” I plan to invite leading-edge companies and tourists to Yamanashi, increase distribution of local products, invigorate industries, and revitalize the local economy, all towards the goal of making Yamanashi the “most livable prefecture in Japan.”

I hope that all of you around the world who visit this webpage will be able to feel a bit closer to Yamanashi, and will stop by our prefecture on your next visit to Japan.

And for those of you who have already seized the opportunity to form close ties with Yamanashi, I wish that you will be able to utilize this webpage to further promote exchanges that can connect Yamanashi to your part of the globe.

 

Governor's Profile 

Shomei YOKOUCHI

March 2, 1942	Born, Nirasaki City, Yamanashi Prefecture
March 1960	Graduates Yamanashi Prefectural Nirasaki High School
March 1964	Graduates with an undergraduate Law degree from Tokyo University
April 1964	Enters the Ministry of Construction (current Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)
June 1984	Becomes Director of the Road Traffic Management Division, Road Bureau, Ministry of Construction
July 1985	Becomes Director of the Urban Policy Division, City Bureau, Ministry of Construction
July 1990	Becomes Deputy Vice-Minister of Construction
July 1993 – December 2002	Serves as member of the House of Representatives
August 1998	Serves on the Lower House Budget Committee
May 2001	Becomes Senior Vice-Minister of Justice
February 2007	Becomes Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture

• For a collection of statements by the Governor, the Governor's schedule, and other information, please visit the Governor's Office site on the Yamanashi Prefecture Website (in Japanese only).  
• Click here for an English version of the Challenge Yamanashi Action Plan.

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