Photo/Illutration Kensuke Ishida, 27, receives flowers from a supporter to celebrate his mayoral election victory in Odate, Akita Prefecture, on Sept. 1. (Hiroaki Abe)

ODATE, Akita Prefecture—A rookie candidate who turned to insect breeding after struggling to find work in his hometown is now the youngest mayor in Japan.

Kensuke Ishida, 27, won the Odate mayoral election on Sept. 1. He vowed to address the urgent challenge of halting the rapid decline in population in this northern Japan city.

Ryosuke Takashima remains Japan’s youngest-ever mayor. He was 26 when he was elected in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, in April last year, a post that he still holds.

However, Takashima, now 27, was born in February, making him a few months older than Ishida, who was born in June, according to the Japan Association of City Mayors.

Ishida was asked what it means to become the youngest mayor in the nation.

“(It) may draw national attention, so I will take advantage of that to promote Odate’s attraction across the country.”

After his victory was confirmed, Ishida said at his campaign office, surrounded by cheering supporters: “Winning is not the goal. I will work together with residents to gradually improve the city of Odate.”

As of April 1, the city’s population stood at around 66,000, down by more than 10,000 from 10 years ago.

More than 40 percent of Odate’s residents are 65 or older. In 2050, the population is expected to drop below 40,000.

Ishida hails from Odate. He moved to Aomori at the age of 6 because of his father’s job and lived there until high school.

He returned to Odate seven years ago after working in Tokyo.

Ishida spent six months looking for work in the city through an employment service center, but he could not find a job.

He and his twin brother later founded a company that raises beetles by feeding them organic waste.

Ishida ran in the city assembly election in spring last year and secured the most votes, with more than 4,000.

However, he felt limited in what he could achieve as an assembly member.

“I want to become mayor so I can influence the budget and make personnel decisions for real change in Odate,” he said.

Ishida announced his candidacy for mayor in December last year and ran as an independent.

During the election campaign, he focused on tackling population decline and the challenges facing an aging society with a low birthrate.

He also proposed policies to create jobs that would appeal to young people and bring in outside talent to alleviate the city’s labor shortage.

His support base widened, mainly among young business owners.

Ishida’s youth was a key part of his appeal.

“Being young means having the drive to act,” he told voters on the streets.

(This article was written by Takashi Takizawa and Hiroaki Abe.)

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