Keizo Takemi (武見 敬三, Takemi Keizō, born 5 November 1951) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who serves as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan.

Keizō Takemi
武見 敬三
Official portrait, 2018
Minister of Health, Labour, and Welfare
In office
13 September 2023 – 1 October 2024
Prime MinisterFumio Kishida
Preceded byKatsunobu Katō
Succeeded byTakamaro Fukuoka
Member of the House of Councillors
Assumed office
14 December 2012
ConstituencyNational PR (2012–2013)
Tokyo at-large (2013–present)
In office
24 July 1995 – 28 July 2007
ConstituencyNational PR
Personal details
Born (1951-11-05) 5 November 1951 (age 73)
Minato, Tokyo, Japan
Political partyLiberal Democratic
RelationsTaro Takemi (father)
Alma materKeio University

Career

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Takemi used to be a professor of Tokai University whose main subject is international politics. He was first elected to a member of the House of Councillors on 23 July 1995. He served until July 2007, and was Vice Minister of Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of the Abe Cabinet from September 2006 until August 2007. Takemi narrowly lost his seat in 2007.[1] In 2012, he returned to the House of Councillors, and he won reelection in 2013 and 2019.

He was a tutor of the School of Politics for Women (女性のための政治スクール).

In 2006, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed Takemi to a High-level Panel on United Nations Systemwide Coherence, which was set up to explore how the United Nations system could work more coherently and effectively across the world in the areas of development, humanitarian assistance and the environment.[2]

From 2012 to 2014, Takemi served on the High-Level Task Force for the International Conference on Population and Development, co-chaired by Joaquim Chissano and Tarja Halonen.[3]

In March 2016, Takemi was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth, which was co-chaired by presidents François Hollande of France and Jacob Zuma of South Africa.[4]

In June 2019, World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus appointed Takemi as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Universal Health Coverage.[5] Since 2022, he has been a member of the Commission for Universal Health convened by Chatham House and co-chaired by Helen Clark and Jakaya Kikwete.[6]

Takemi was elected chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party caucus in the House of Councillors in November 2024, after Masakazu Sekiguchi resigned to become President of the House of Councillors.[7]

Personal life

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His father was Taro Takemi, president of the Japan Medical Association.

References

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  1. ^ http://www.nikkei.co.jp/news/main/20070730AT3S3000L30072007.html [dead link]
  2. ^ High-level panel on UN System-wide Coherence – panel composition United Nations.
  3. ^ Members High-Level Task Force for the International Conference on Population and Development.
  4. ^ High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth – Commissioners World Health Organization.
  5. ^ World Health Organization. "A New WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Universal Health Coverage".
  6. ^ Commission for Universal Health Chatham House.
  7. ^ "Takemi to Lead LDP in Upper House". Nippon.com. The Jiji Press. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
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Political offices
Preceded by Senior Vice Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare
September 2006 - August 2007
Served alongside: Noritoshi Ishida
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare
2023–2024
Succeeded by
House of Councillors
Preceded by Member of the House of Councillors from Tokyo
(Class of 1947/1953/.../2013)

2013–
Served alongside: Tamayo Marukawa, Natsuo Yamaguchi, Yoshiko Kira, Tarō Yamamoto
Incumbent
Preceded by
50-member district
Member of the House of Councillors by proportional representation
(Class of 1947/1953/.../1995)

1995–2007
Served alongside: 49→47 others
Succeeded by
48-member district
Party political offices
Preceded by Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party Caucus in the House of Councillors
2024–present
Incumbent