Mr Hitoshi Kikawada

WHO Commissioner on Social Connection

Mr Hitoshi Kikawada is currently Minister of State for Measures for Loneliness and Isolation and Minister of State for Policies Related to Children, Declining Birthrate, Youth Empowerment, and Gender Equality since October 2025. His political career began in 2012 when he was elected to the House of Representatives. He has held several government roles, including Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2015, State Minister of the Cabinet Office in 2021, and Chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. Before entering politics, Mr Kikawada worked in environmental science and ocean policy, holding a Master of Science from the University of Maryland.