“Stay Close”–Shocking Photos Show Shinji Ishimaru, Former Leader of Saisei no Michi, Spending the Night With a Long-Haired Beauty

Staying overnight night after night

“We would have to start by defining what love actually is.”

That was what Shinji Ishimaru, 44, said on the ABEMA dating reality show “Renai Byoin (Love Hospital).” Perhaps his tendency to overthink things got in the way, as he failed to find a girlfriend on the show. But in real life, the sharp-minded former local government leader who served as a mayor in his 30s had been steadily growing closer to a beautiful woman.

On August 30, “Hiroshima Kagura Tokyo Special Performance,” for which Ishimaru serves as ambassador, was held at Sogetsu Hall in Akasaka, Tokyo. At around 11 p.m., the group emerged from the venue where they had held an after-party with staff following the performance. Right beside Ishimaru was a long-haired beauty who looked like First Summer Uika, staying close to him. Ishimaru looked unusually happy as he chatted with the woman (pictured above).

After being seen off by staff, the two naturally got into a taxi together and headed to a designer apartment building in Tokyo. After getting out, they walked straight into the entrance together.

“She is A-san, a former administrative staff member of the political organization ‘Saisei no Michi’ (Path to Renewal), which Ishimaru used to lead. She had been handling public relations for the party since before last year’s July House of Councillors election. She is cheerful and kind-hearted, and since she is in her late 30s and close in age to Ishimaru, the two apparently hit it off. After Ishimaru stepped down as the organization’s leader last September, she became his personal secretary.” (A person affiliated with “Saisei no Michi”)

The apartment building the two entered appears to be the place Ishimaru uses as his office and base in Tokyo. It has a spacious bedroom and a stylish interior in which most of the lighting is indirect. That night, the two did not emerge from the apartment even after the last trains had stopped running.

“A-san has a home in Tokyo, but it seems they deliberately spent the night together at Ishimaru’s base. Apparently, the two had also stayed at that apartment the previous night. There is no doubt that their relationship goes beyond that of a secretary and a politician.” (An acquaintance of Ishimaru)

A-san left the apartment at around noon the following day, after spending the night there.

Could he make a comeback in the Fukuoka Mayoral election?

Is A-san the girlfriend Ishimaru has finally found? “FRIDAY” sent Ishimaru a list of questions asking whether the two had spent the night alone together and whether A-san was his girlfriend. He responded as follows.

“First of all, would you mind telling me your definition of a girlfriend?”

After this characteristically Ishimaru-like opening,

“She is one of the people I have a professional relationship with and can trust.”

he continued, without denying the nature of their relationship.

Since resigning as head of “Saisei no Michi,” Ishimaru has kept a low profile in his political activities, but it is said that behind the scenes he has begun preparing for his next election. The political arena he is reportedly eyeing is Fukuoka Prefecture, which has been rocked by allegations involving the exchange of money among prefectural assembly members.

On August 23, incumbent Fukuoka Mayor Soichiro Takashima, 51, announced that he would not seek another term. The Fukuoka mayoral election is scheduled for November, and Ishimaru is reportedly setting his sights on it.

“Since December last year, Ishimaru has been based in Fukuoka as the Kyushu bureau chief of the YouTube channel ‘ReHacQ.’ During a conversation with Mayor Takashima on August 24, he hinted at a possible candidacy, saying, ‘I haven’t said I’m not running for mayor yet.’ Fukuoka politics has attracted considerable attention due to allegations involving the exchange of money, so there is certainly enough buzz surrounding it. Perhaps he sees it as a suitable place to make a political comeback.” (Political reporter for a local newspaper)

Political journalist Akiko Azumi believes that either way, it would be a positive for Ishimaru.

“It is true that Ishimaru has a close relationship with Mayor Takashima, and there is a possibility that he will run in the Fukuoka mayoral election. However, realistically speaking, it would be difficult for him to win in Fukuoka, where he has no political base and where conservative forces are strong. Perhaps, as with the Tokyo gubernatorial election, his calculation is that it would be enough if he puts up a reasonably strong showing and raises his profile.”

When asked about running in the Fukuoka mayoral election, Ishimaru did not deny the possibility, saying, “All options are on the table, and I am always considering running in every possible election.” With the support of A-san, someone he describes as trustworthy, will Ishimaru once again step onto the political stage?

From the September 25, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY”