Wataru Aso, former governor of Fukuoka Prefecture, died on March 15 at age 85 from pancreatic cancer. Born in Kitakyushu’s Tobata Ward, Aso began his career at the former Ministry of International Trade and Industry and later served as Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office. He was first elected governor in 1995 and held office for four consecutive terms over 16 years.
During his tenure, he prioritized revitalizing Fukuoka’s economy by promoting the automotive and environmental sectors and initiated the “Fukuoka-Asia International Strategic Zone” to position the region as a business and environmental hub linking Asia and Japan.
From 2005 to 2011, he served as chair of the National Governors’ Association, advocating for greater decentralization and stronger regional autonomy. He chose not to seek re-election in 2011 and formally retired from politics. In 2017, he received the Order of the Rising Sun, Grand Cordon, for his contributions to regional development and public service. Source: Fukuoka Prefecture / NHK
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