Photo/Illutration Shuhei Kishimoto (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

WAKAYAMA—Shuhei Kishimoto, the governor of Wakayama Prefecture, died of septic shock on April 15, a day after his secretary found him unconscious at his residence, the prefectural government said.

He was 68.

Kishimoto attended the opening event of the Kansai Pavilion at the Osaka Kansai Expo on April 13 and returned to his official residence in Wakayama city.

The following morning, his aide discovered the governor unconscious at his home.

After receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of a hospital, Kishimoto died at 9:33 a.m. on April 15, the prefectural government said.

Kishimoto was born in Wakayama city and graduated from the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Law.

He served as director of the national treasury division at the former Ministry of Finance before running in the 2009 Lower House election.

As a candidate of the Democratic Party of Japan representing the Wakayama No. 1 district, Kishimoto gained his first Diet seat in the election, which also saw the DPJ take power from the Liberal Democratic Party.

Kishimoto served as parliamentary vice minister of economy, trade and industry in the DPJ administration.

He later became acting secretary-general of the Democratic Party for the People following the dissolution of the DPJ.

After winning five consecutive terms in the Lower House, he resigned from the Diet in 2022 and won the Wakayama gubernatorial election that same year. He was endorsed by the LDP, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the DPP.

The Public Offices Election Law stipulates that in the event of a vacancy in the office of a prefectural governor, the deputy must notify the election administration commission within five days, and an election must be held within 50 days of receiving the notification.

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