Satoko Kishimoto

Satoko Kishimoto (; born 15 July 1974) is a Japanese politician and book editor. She is the first female mayor of Suginami, Tokyo.

Kishimoto spent some of her adult life in Europe before returning to Japan and entering politics unaffiliated with any political party. She is the editor of an anti-water privatisation book.

Early life Kishimoto was born on 15 July 1974. She grew up in Japan, before moving to the Netherlands aged 25, then moving to Leuven, Belgium in 2008.

Career Kishimoto became interested in Japanese politics while working at the Transnational Institute, a non-profit organisation in Amsterdam, and attracted a grass-roots following with online debates during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was unsure of moving back to Japan permanently as she felt it would disrupt her children's schooling, but agreed to do so in April 2022 in order to campaign for mayor.

Kishimoto was elected in June 2022 as an independent candidate, defeating the incumbent conservative mayor by 187 votes. She became Suginami's first female elected mayor. She is against privatisation and has edited a book outlining alternatives to water privatisation.

Personal life Kishimoto is married and has two children.