Mikio Shimoji

Japanese politician

下地幹郎

Minister of State for Disaster ManagementIn office
1 October 2012 – 26 December 2012Prime MinisterYoshihiko NodaPreceded byMasaharu NakagawaSucceeded byKeiji FuruyaMember of the House of Representatives

Incumbent

Assumed office
14 December 2014ConstituencyKyushu PRIn office
12 September 2005 – 16 November 2012Preceded byTai'ichi ShirahoSucceeded byKōnosuke KokubaConstituencyOkinawa-1stIn office
21 October 1996 – 10 October 2003ConstituencyKyushu PR Personal detailsBorn (1961-08-14) August 14, 1961 (age 62)
Hirara, Okinawa, JapanPolitical party

Other political
affiliations

JRP (2014–2015)
Independent (2003–2005, 2014)
PNP (2008–2013)
LDP (1996–2003)

Alma materChuo Gakuin UniversityWebsiteOfficial website

Mikio Shimoji (下地幹郎, Shimoji Mikio, born August 14, 1961) is a Japanese politician, a member of the Initiatives from Osaka party in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Hirara, Okinawa and graduate of Chuo Gakuin University, he was elected for the first time in 1996 as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. He previously joined People's New Party in 2008. Shimoji was Minister of State for Disaster Management for the final 2.5 months of the cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.

Shimoji has contested Okinawa's 1st district in almost every election since 1996. He was first elected as the district's representative in 2005. He was re-elected in 2009, but lost his seat in the 2012 election. Shimoji recontested the seat in the 2014 election. While unable to win the seat outright, he obtained a seat through his spot in Japan Restoration Party's PR list.