Yasuhiko Funago (舩後靖彦, Funago Yasuhiko, born 4 October 1957) is a Japanese politician and current member of the House of Councillors. He and fellow councillor Eiko Kimura became the first people with severe disabilities elected to Japan's National Diet in 2019.[1][2][3] He is a member of the Reiwa Shinsengumi.[2]

Yasuhiko Funago in 2019

ALS has caused him to lose much of his mobility, requiring a full-time caregiver.[4]

Early life

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Funago was born in Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture. He moved to Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture when he was 10 years old and attended Chiba Minami Prefectural High School. After graduating high school, he studied under the Faculty of Political Science and Economics at Takushoku University.

Although he originally wanted to become a professional musician, Funago became an employee of Sakata Watch Trading Co., Ltd. after graduating university in 1982. A few years later, at the age of 28, he married.

References

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  1. ^ "Japan's first severely disabled lawmakers join parliament". BBC News. 2019-08-01. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  2. ^ a b Osaki, Tomohiro (2019-08-01). "Opposition lawmakers with severe disabilities make Upper House debut after steps taken toward creating barrier-free Diet". The Japan Times. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
  3. ^ "Disabled lawmakers join Japan's parliament". 2019-08-01. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
  4. ^ Davis, River. "New Japanese Legislator With Lou Gehrig's Disease Aims to Stop Abuse of Disabled". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
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