Chikage Ogi, Former House of Councillors President, Dies

The Japan News

16:17 JST, March 13, 2023

Former House of Councillors President Chikage Ogi died Thursday, it has been learned. She was 89.

Ogi, who was first elected to the upper house from the Liberal Democratic Party in 1977, also served as the land, infrastructure and transport minister. In 2004, she became the first woman to serve as upper house president. Ogi was elected as an upper house member five times, before retiring from politics in 2007.

A native of Hyogo Prefecture, Ogi — whose real name was Hiroko Hayashi — previously worked as an actress with the Takarazuka Revue and appeared in movies, TV and theater shows. She was married to late legendary kabuki actor Sakata Tojuro.