Shinji Ishimaru, a former banker turned politician who founded the new political party, "Rebirth." Despite his impressive career at the forefront of international finance, he wears a Japanese-made watch on his wrist. What are his values, as reflected in his choice of watch, and the type of politics he aspires to?
Text by Yukaco Numamoto
Edited by Takashi Tsuchida
Edited by Takashi Tsuchida
[Article published on January 2, 2025]
What is the local political party "Regeneration Road" that even non-Tokyo residents should pay attention to?
Shinji Ishimaru, former mayor of Akitakata, Hiroshima Prefecture, founded the local political party "Rebirth Road" on January 15, 2025. He will immediately enter the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election this summer, but stated in a press conference that he will not run himself, and will instead recruit a candidate who can immediately contribute as the party's representative.
The party name means "reviving Japan." As the population decline accelerates, they want to use the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election as an opportunity to encourage citizens to participate in politics and revitalize the region. Regarding the current situation in Japan, Shinji Ishimaru said, "I felt a growing sense that this country is in trouble and that something must be done," and with that aspiration in mind, they aim to field candidates in all 42 electoral districts.
Candidates must be Tokyo residents, but the type of person required for a Road to Regeneration candidate is "someone who can make rational decisions that maximize the interests of Tokyo residents, not just from a short-term perspective, but from a medium- to long-term perspective." Candidates are currently being recruited until mid-February 2025. After that, there will be a first and second round of selection, and in the third round, candidates will each give a 15-minute presentation to Ishimaru Shinji. The process will apparently be made public on YouTube and other platforms.
At the launch announcement of the "Road to Regeneration," Shinji Ishimaru was wearing The Citizen Ref. AQ1040-53E. He apparently bought it for his 40th birthday. He spoke positively about the watch, saying that it was convenient, had accurate time and date, and was made of titanium, lightweight, and comfortable to wear, making it a favorite model.
He said he wanted a watch that suited his age, and his choice of The Citizen gives the impression of being a solid choice. Watch enthusiasts have been praising Shinji Ishimaru's watch selection from an early stage.
From an international financial elite to a regional political reformer
Shinji Ishimaru was born in Yoshida-cho, Takada-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture (now Akitakata City). After graduating from the Faculty of Economics at Kyoto University, he joined the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ. He was stationed in New York as a foreign exchange analyst and has experience working in 25 cities in nine major countries in the Americas. Despite living in a glamorous environment, his social media presence suggests that he values purchasing high-quality items, not just watches, with the intention of using them for a long time.
The origins of his values lie in his hometown. Born and raised in Akitakata City on a farm that has continued for generations, his experience seems to be the foundation of his attitude towards valuing things. While active at the forefront of international finance, Shinji Ishimaru never forgot his feelings for the local community, and became mayor of Akitakata at the young age of 37 (at the time). In his city administration, he has placed importance on "discerning the essence" and has implemented cost-effective policies.
Shinji Ishimaru has attracted attention for his clear vision, effective use of social media, and thorough debating. As a former banker, he has also been called the "real-life Naoki Hanzawa," and his exchanges on television immediately after his defeat in the Tokyo gubernatorial election have been compared to Shinjiro Koizumi's "Shinjiro syntax" and referred to as the "Ishimaru syntax."
A loyal customer of "The Citizen," who never forgets his position as a citizen
The Citizen, the flagship brand of Citizen watches, was launched in 1995. In addition to highly legible dials and simple, minimalist decoration, this series embodies the Citizen watch philosophy of "keeping time accurately" at a high level.
Light-powered quartz movement (Cal. A010). Power reserve of approximately 1.5 years (in power save mode). Super titanium case (diameter 40.0 mm, thickness 10.7 mm). Water resistant to 10 bar. Currently discontinued.
Among them, the Ref. AQ1040-53E, selected by Shinji Ishimaru, is a model equipped with the "Eco-Drive" solar-powered system. Furthermore, its ultra-high-precision quartz movement, with an annual accuracy of plus or minus 5 seconds, achieves unparalleled accuracy without relying on the internet, GPS, or standard radio waves. The case is the first to use the highest-strength surface hardening technology (Duratect α) at the time. Additionally, the sapphire crystal is coated with a 99% clarity coating, which provides excellent durability and stain resistance, ensuring robustness and excellent visibility.
This model, which has such high-spec practical performance yet exudes a timeless presence, likely resonated with Shinji Ishimaru's desire to choose solid, high-quality products that can be used for a long time. Furthermore, Shinji Ishimaru's stance of standing in the citizen's shoes and advancing politics from their perspective seems to overlap with The Citizen brand concept.
For now, we'll be keeping an eye on which candidates Shinji Ishimaru will choose in this June's Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election. His value of "discerning the true essence," as seen in his watch selection, will surely be reflected in his candidate selection. He faces the enormous challenge of fielding candidates in all 42 electoral districts. Let's keep an eye on the new time that will be engraved on his wrist as he navigates his way through the election.
