【University of Oxford】
As a Visiting Research Fellow of the University of Oxford, Fujita is researching “Reviving Vanishing Democracy, Particularly in Japan” for a period of two years from February 2025.
【Government】
Between 2011 and 2012, Fujita served as Vice-Minister of Finance under Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of the Democratic Party (DP). He drew up the budget for the reconstruction of regions affected by the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami of 2011, increased medical and nursing budgets, which had not changed for 10 years, and worked closely with the Bank of Japan.
【Parliament】
Between 1996 and 2019, Fujita was elected to seats in both the Lower House and the Upper House. He was a Shadow Foreign Minister in 2017 and the Director General of the International Department of the Democratic Party on five occasions.
〇 In 2014, Fujita established a parliamentarian group to support the World Conference of Religion for Peace (WCRP, or Religion for Peace). The organisation helped reconciliation efforts between Buddhists and Muslims in south Thailand in 2013, between Islamic leaders of various sects from the Middle East, and between religious leaders from Myanmar during talks in Tokyo in 2016. Fujita also oversaw Peace Round Table talks in Tokyo in 2022 and 2024 between religious leaders from Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and Syria, with representatives of Palestine and Israel also attending.
〇 Since 2009, Fujita has been instrumental in a Japanese government initiative to invite former American Prisoners of War (POWs) to visit Japan annually. He has also helped other conflict victims, including atomic bomb victims, former Japanese detainees in Siberia, the Chinese foster parents of Japanese war orphans, Class-B and Class-C war criminals from the Korean Peninsula and the families of victims of crimes, including those affected by the 9/11 attacks in the United States.
〇 Between 2004 and 2010, Fujita took part in disaster rescue work in the aftermath of earthquakes and tsunami in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Haiti.
〇 In 1999, Fujita helped to create a DPJ office in Macedonia to help Kosovo refugees and a second office in Kabul to help Afghanistan refugees in 2002.
【NGO activities】
〇 In 1975, Fujita participated in Moral Re-Armament (MRA), a UN-recognised NGO that helped post-war Franco-German reconciliation. He joined an MRA group, Song of Asia, with 50 young people from Asia and the Pacific to travel to 14 countries over two years. With MRA, he was involved in conflict-resolution work, mainly in Asia and between labour groups and management in Japan.
〇 In 1986, when Europe, Japan and the US were on the brink of a trade war, he helped launch the Caux Round Table (CRT), bringing together business leaders from those areas to the MRA centre at Caux, Switzerland for dialogue. In 1994, the CRT published a set of Principles for Business. Since 2022, he has served as chairman of the International IC (Initiatives of Change) Association of Japan. MRA changed its name to IC in 2001.
〇Since 1979, Fujita has provided assistance to the Association for Aid and Relief (AAR), the first Japanese NGO to help refugees. He launched AAR refugee projects in Cambodia in 1980 and in Zimbabwe and Zambia in 1984. AAR has provided help in 65 countries and is presently operational in 18 countries.
【Education】
〇Graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy, B.A. Keio University, 1975
〇Taught Japanese politics and economics, conflict resolution and NGO activities at Yokohama National University, Seigakuin University and Gifu Women's University as a visiting professor.
〇Has visited 53 countries and stayed in the homes of nearly 200 families.
Born in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, in 1950
【Award】
The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star by the Emperor
Updated: April 2025
E-mail : [email protected]
Photo captions appear as you place the cursor over the photos.
Born in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
Father, Kozo Fujita, was elected as the top vote-getter to the Hitachi City Council by the support of Hitachi, Ltd. He served for three consecutive terms.
Graduated from Futaba Kindergarten in Hitachi City
Graduated from Ouse Elementary School in Hitachi City
Graduated from Mito First High School in Ibaraki Prefecture
Graduated from the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Letters, Keio University.
After graduation, joined the MRA international goodwill mission "Song of Asia," visiting 14 countries around the world over two years with about 50 young people from Asia and Oceania, staying in approximately 100 homes. Has visited 53 countries worldwide and stayed in about 200 homes
After returning to Japan, I worked at the International MRA Japan Association office
In the village of Caux, overlooking Lake Geneva and a 90-minute drive from Geneva, Switzerland, stands the MRA world conference center "Mountain House." Built as a luxury hotel in 1902, it fell into disrepair when used as a refugee shelter during World War II.
Shortly after the war, about a hundred Swiss families, believing that "Switzerland, having been spared from the war, should provide a place for reconciliation in a divided Europe and world," purchased and restored this hotel. Between 1946 and 1950, it welcomed about 4,000 Germans and 2,000 French representatives from various sectors, marking the first step toward post-war Franco-German reconciliation. In 1950, 72 Japanese delegates were also invited to Caux, including the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Taizo Ishizaka (President of Toshiba), business leaders, labor union representatives, and Diet members such as Yasuhiro Nakasone. This invitation preceded the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty and became an opportunity for Japan to be welcomed back into the international community.
International conferences are held every summer, attracting participants from around the world. The center has particularly contributed to reconciliation between parties in regional conflicts, labor-management representatives, and business leaders during trade wars. In recent years, participants have come from Ukraine, Russia, Palestine, and Israel. Conferences on democracy and IDGs supporting SDGs are also held.
Caux provides an environment where opposing groups can consider matters from each other's perspectives.
Joined the founding of the Association for Aid and Relief (AAR, led by Chairperson Yukika Sohma). Later became a director.
Launched a support project for Cambodian refugees in the Thai-Cambodian border area. Later, AAR undertook various projects within Cambodia and continues to manage projects around the world to this day.
Incorporated the International MRA Association of Japan (later the International IC Association of Japan) as a general incorporated association and became its Executive Director.At the request of singer Shinichi Mori, launched the AAR African Refugee Support Project in Zambia. This charity concert series continued for 20 years.
Coordinator of the Caux Round Table (CRT) for Japanese, American, and European business leaders.
Based on a request from Frederik Philips, former Chairman of Philips Electronics of the Netherlands, Fujita was involved in establishing the Caux Round Table (CRT) to avoid trade wars caused by alleged Japan's "concentrated downpour" exports of electronic products to Western countries. Participants included Olivier Giscard d'Estaing (Vice Chairman of INSEAD) from Europe; Owen Butler (Chairman of P&G) and Winston Wallin (Chairman of Medtronic) from America; and Ryuzaburo Kaku (President of Canon) and Toshihiko Yamashita (Former President of Matsushita Electric) from Japan. The CRT has continued its activities since 1986 to the present day. In 1994, it compiled the "Principles for Business".
The Financial Times of the UK commented it as "the first code of conduct jointly created by business leaders from Japan, the US, and Europe."
First elected to the House of Representatives from Tokyo proportional representation district (Democratic Party of Japan). Established the "Parliamentary League for the Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Landmines" and, helped Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi to join the Ottawa Treaty (1997). Planned and accompanied the Democratic Party delegation (led by Yukio Hatoyama) on visits to China (meeting with Vice President Hu Jintao), South Korea (meeting with President Kim Young-sam, party leader Kim Dae-jung, party leader Kim Jong-pil), and the United States (meeting with former Vice President Mondale, Professor Ezra Vogel). Achieved the provision of commuter passes for non-attending students at support schools.
Inspected Kosovo after NATO bombing. Established a Democratic Party office in neighboring Macedonia. Volunteers conducted humanitarian aid activities in Kosovo for six months. This was the first overseas aid activity from a foreign base by a Japanese political party.
Appointed as Special Visiting Professor at Gifu Women's University
After the US military bombing of Afghanistan following 9/11, established a Democratic Party office in the capital Kabul. Staff conducted humanitarian aid activities for six months. Yukihisa Fujita closed the office.
Elected to the House of Representatives from Tokyo Proportional Representation Block (Tokyo 12th District), Director of International Bureau of the Democratic Party
Conducted hostage rescue support activities in neighboring Jordan during the Japanese hostage incident in Iraq. Five Japanese were released. Planned and accompanied the Democratic Party delegation (led by Naoto Kan) on visits to Europe and the United States (meetings with UN Secretary-General Annan, Swedish Prime Minister Persson), and the delegation (led by Katsuya Okada) to the United States (meetings with Federal Reserve Board (FRB) Chairman Greenspan, Deputy Secretary of State Armitage).
Conducted support activities (led by Yukio Hatoyama) to Indonesia and Sri Lanka, areas affected by the Sumatra offshore tsunami and earthquake (December 2004). After returning to Japan, proposed to the government the introduction of methods such as DNA and dental record matching for body identification. Conducted support activities (led by Hideki Wakabayashi) for the Pakistan earthquake. After returning to Japan, proposed to the Chief Cabinet Secretary that Japan's emergency aid team use chartered aircraft to expedite their arrival at the site.
Conducted support activities (led by Yoshinori Suematsu) for the Java earthquake. Appointed as a part-time lecturer at Seigakuin University (until 2009)
First elected to the House of Councillors from Ibaraki constituency
Chairman of the Special Committee on North Korean Abduction and Other Issues in the House of Councillors
After the Democratic Party came to power, as Director of the International Bureau of the Democratic Party, realized the visits of former US prisoners of war (POWs) from World War II to Japan. The Japanese government had invited former POWs from the UK, the Netherlands, and Australia to Japan, but American former POWs had not been invited because they had filed compensation lawsuits against Japanese companies. After meeting with former US POW Lester Tenney at the International MRA Promotion Parliamentary League (chaired by Kazuho Tanigawa), Fujita, together with Liberal Democratic Party members of the same parliamentary league, made a request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and since 2009, a program for US former POWs to visit Japan has been conducted annually.
As the leader of the Haiti Earthquake Survey Team, conducted support activities on site. Conducted support activities for the Haiti Earthquake. After returning to Japan, proposed to the government that in emergencies such as when communication with the embassy and the Ambassador's home is impossible, it may be necessary to dispatch emergency aid teams without waiting for complete information. As Chairman of the Financial Affairs Committee of the House of Councillors, established a forum for direct information exchange between the Japan Medical Association and senior officials of the Ministry of Finance.
As Senior Vice Minister of Finance, Introducing a fundamental reform to reduce government employee housing by one-quarter and increase rent. Formulated the reconstruction budget for the Great East Japan Earthquake. Increased medical and nursing care budgets for the first time in 10 years. At the Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting, requested significant monetary easing in light of the reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake and the European financial crisis beginning with Greece.
Chairman of the Financial Affairs Committee of the House of Councillors, Judge of the Impeachment Court for Judges
Re-elected to the House of Councillors from Ibaraki constituency. Chairman of the National Basic Policy Committee (Question Time) and Chairman of the Financial Affairs Committee of the House of Councillors
Director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute (until 2019)
Inspected Onkalo in Finland,the world's only final disposal facility for nuclear waste
Proposed an increase in medical fees for cesarean sections in obstetrics and gynecology, which had been reduced the previous year, at the Health, Labour and Welfare Committee.
The reason for the reduction was that the surgery time had been shortened, so the fees were also reduced. Fujita argued that obstetricians and gynecologists, who are responsible for the lives of both mother and child, should be evaluated for trying to reduce risks by shortening surgery time.
The increase was realized in the 2016 revision.
Welcoming President Truong Tan Sang of Vietnam
Part-time lecturer at Yokohama National University (from 2014 to 2016)
Gave lectures in English once a week at Yokohama National University. The class consisted of about 20 Japanese students, including returnees and those with study abroad experience, as well as several international students. Lectured on various global issues and international experiences. Also invited students to visit the Diet.
Meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the International Conference of Asian Political Parties
Formation of the Democratic Party. Director of the International Bureau of it. Due to artificial stock price boosting policies, the market value of small and medium-sized family business stocks rose, resulting in many companies being unable to continue after the death of their presidents. Fujita requested a review of stock valuation methods that would not artificially inflate market values from the Ministry of Finance and the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, which was realized in 2017. In 2018, a five-year inheritance tax deferral system began, significantly advancing business succession.
Since gift taxes on the transition from medical practitioners with equity shares to those without equity shares had been an obstacle to succession for private practitioners, Fujita requested tax exemption from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, which was realized in 2017. These two achievements were realized when the Tax Bureau of the Ministry of Finance persuaded the National Tax Agency that "facilitating business succession to ensure the continuation of companies and private medical practices leads to stable tax revenue."
Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Democratic Party
Director of the International IC Japan Association
Formation of the Democratic Party for the People. Director of the International Bureau of the Democratic Party for the People
Advisor to the Ibaraki Prefecture Corporate Ethics Association (until 2019)
Joined the Constitutional Democratic Party. Ran in the national constituency in the July House of Councillors election but was not elected
Introduced Jitsuro Terashima, Chairman of the Japan Research Institute, to Toshio Nakagawa, President of the Japan Medical Association, and supported the development of medical and disaster prevention industries as fundamental industries. Subsequently, the Japan Dental Association, the Japan Society of Civil Engineers, and others joined, promoting policies for domestic production of medical supplies and equipment (including masks, testing equipment, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals) and establishing "roadside stations" as disaster prevention bases for emergency stockpiling and supply of disaster prevention equipment.
Ran for the House of Representatives from Ibaraki 2nd district but was not elected
Retired from politics
Appointed as an Expert Board Member, Peace and Security Centre, the German-Southeast Asian Center of Excellence for Public Policy and Good Governance (CPG, a think tank of the German Federal Foreign Office) in Thailand.
Gave a lecture at the international conference "The Future of Conflicts and Conflict Resolution in Asia."
Before the Hiroshima G7 Summit, explained to Prime Minister Kishida the background of the inscription "We shall not make the mistake again" on the Atomic Bomb Memorial. Explained how then Mayor Shinzo Hamai visited what are now G7 countries in 1950, witnessed the reconciliation between Germany and France at an MRA (now IC) international conference in Switzerland, and visited Arlington Cemetery in the United States.
Also suggested that the English translation "mistake" was more faithful to the Japanese original text than "evil." It is said that it was eventually translated as "mistake."
Supported the WCRP 2nd Tokyo Peace Round Table Conference "Beyond War, Towards Reconciliation" as the WCRP International Activities Support Parliamentary Group and the International IC Japan Association. IC Association of Japan. Religious leaders from the areas of conflict such as Ukraine, Russia, Palestine, Israel attended. It contributed to the resumption of financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Gave a lecture at the international conference "Rethinking Harmony in Asia 2024" hosted by The Asian Network in Cambodia. Also held individual meetings with Prime Minister Hun Manet, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction Chea Sophara, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Sokha.
As Chairman of the International IC Association of Japan, hosted the 46th IC International Forum "Trust and Reconciliation in a World of Increasing Divides." Participants included Imad Karam, Executive Director of Initiatives of Change International who is from Gaza and lost more than 70 family members, former Israeli Ambassador to South Africa Alon Liel who advocates for the "two-state solution" for Israel and Palestine, former Vice Speaker of the Korean National Assembly Lee Ju-young, and Chairman of the International IC Promotion Parliamentary League Hirofumi Nakasone, a former Foreign Minister.
The Japan Public Relations Society's "Lost 30 Years Verification Research Group" published a proposal "Challenge for Japan's Revitalization." Served as a senior researcher in compiling this proposal. Conducted interviews with 42 experts from various fields over two years, including former Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa, House of Representatives member Yoshihiko Noda, and House of Representatives member Shigeru Ishiba.
Received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star by the Emperor
Appointed as Visiting Research Fellow at the Oxford University Department of Politics and International Relations