Sō Watanabe

is a Japanese politician of the Centrist Reform Alliance, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.

Early years Born and raised in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture in 1977.

In March 2001, he graduated from Niigata University's Faculty of Law and In April, he entered Mainichi Shimbun. He worked at Yokohama branch, Tokyo headquarters.

In 2011, Watanabe ran for the Miyazaki Prefectural Assembly as a DPJ candidate and was elected for the first time.

In 2015, Watanabe was re-elected in the Miyazaki Prefecture Assembly election.

Watanabe left DP and join CDP on 5 February 2018.

In 2019, Watanabe ran for the Miyazaki Prefectural Assembly as a CDP candidate and was re-elected.

On 6 September 2021, Watanabe resigned as a member of the Miyazaki Prefectural Assembly to run for Miyazaki 1st district in the next general election. In the 2021 general election, he defeated LDP incumbent Shunsuke Takei after a close race.

In the 2021 CDP presidential election, Watanabe endorsed Chinami Nishimura as a recommender.

In the 2024 CDP presidential election, Watanabe endorsed Yukio Edano as a recommender.

In the 2024 general election, Watanabe defeated LDP's Takei by a large margin.

In 2026, CDP and Komeito merged into Centrist Reform Alliance (CRA). Watanabe joined CRA.

In the 2026 general election, Watanabe defeated LDP's Takei after a close race and hold the seat. CRA candidates who won in single-member district were only 7, including Watanabe.

In the 2026 CRA presidential election, some people expected Watanabe's candidacy but he did not run.