[Full Text Published] By His Side… Former “Road to Rebirth” Representative Shinji Ishimaru: “Overnight Stay with a Long-Haired Beauty!” Exclusive Photos

Staying over night after night

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

These were the words spoken by Shinji Ishimaru (44) on the dating reality show “Love Hospital” (ABEMA). Perhaps his tendency to overanalyze got in the way, as he was unable to find a partner on the show—but he is, after all, a sharp-witted man who served as a mayor in his 30s. In real life, he was steadily growing closer to a beautiful woman.

On August 30, the “Hiroshima Kagura Tokyo Special Performance,” for which Ishimaru serves as an ambassador, was held at the Sogetsu Hall in Akasaka, Tokyo.Around 11:00 p.m., the group emerged from the after-party venue, where they had been celebrating with staff members. Right beside Mr. Ishimaru was a long-haired beauty who bore a striking resemblance to First Summer Uika, standing close by his side. Mr. Ishimaru looked happier than I’ve ever seen him while talking to her (photo above).

Afterward, as the staff saw them off, he naturally got into a taxi with the woman, and they headed for a designer apartment building in Tokyo. Upon getting out of the taxi, the two walked straight into the building’s entrance.

“She is Ms. A, a former administrative staff member of the political group ‘The Path to Renewal,’ of which Mr. Ishimaru was the representative.She had been handling the party’s public relations and other duties since before the House of Councillors election last July. She is a cheerful and kind-hearted person, and since she is in her late 30s—close in age to Mr. Ishimaru—they seemed to hit it off. Since Mr. Ishimaru stepped down as the group’s representative last September, she has been serving as his personal secretary” (a source within the “Path to Revival” party).

The apartment building the two entered appears to be the place Mr. Ishimaru uses as his office and base of operations in Tokyo. It features a spacious bedroom and a stylish interior where most of the lighting consists of indirect lighting. That night, even after the last train had passed, the two did not emerge from the apartment.

“Although Ms. A has her own place in Tokyo, she went out of her way to spend the night at Mr. Ishimaru’s base. It seems the two had also stayed at that apartment the night before. It is certain that their relationship goes beyond that of a secretary and a politician,” said an acquaintance of Mr. Ishimaru.

Mr. A left the apartment around noon the day after their overnight stay.

A Comeback in the Fukuoka Mayoral Election?

Is Ms. A the girlfriend Mr. Ishimaru has finally found? When FRIDAY sent Mr. Ishimaru a written inquiry asking whether he and Ms. A had spent a night alone together and whether she is his girlfriend, we received the following response:

“First of all, could you please define what you mean by ‘girlfriend’?”

Following this opening remark—typical of Mr. Ishimaru—he continued:

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

—a response that did not deny the “relationship.”

Although Mr. Ishimaru has refrained from overt political activities since resigning as head of “The Path to Renewal,” he is reportedly making moves behind the scenes in preparation for the next election. It is said he is planning to run for office in Fukuoka Prefecture, which is currently rocked by scandals involving the alleged exchange of money within the prefectural assembly.

On August 23, the incumbent mayor of Fukuoka, Soichiro Takashima (51), announced he would not run in the next mayoral election. The Fukuoka mayoral election is scheduled for November, and Mr. Ishimaru is reportedly setting his sights on it.

“Since last December, Mr. Ishimaru has been based in Fukuoka as the Kyushu bureau chief for the YouTube channel ‘ReHacQ,’ butduring a conversation with Mayor Takashima on August 24, he hinted at a potential run by saying, ‘I haven’t said I won’t run in the mayoral election yet.’ Fukuoka Prefectural politics is attracting attention due to allegations of illegal cash exchanges, so there’s plenty of buzz. He likely believes this is a suitable stage for a comeback,” said a political reporter for a local newspaper.

Political journalist Akiko Azumi believes, “Whichever way it goes, it’s a plus for Mr. Ishimaru.”

“It’s true that Mr. Ishimaru has a close relationship with Mayor Takashima, and there is a possibility he could run in the Fukuoka mayoral election. However, realistically speaking, it would be difficult for him to win in Fukuoka—a city where the conservative base is strong—given that he lacks a local political base there. Perhaps his strategy is similar to what he did in the Tokyo gubernatorial election: he might be content if he puts up a decent fight and raises his profile.”

When asked about running for mayor of Fukuoka, Ishimaru did not deny it, stating, “All options are on the table, and I am always considering running in any election.” With the support of his trusted “Mr. A,” will the day come when Ishimaru returns to the political spotlight?

From the September 25, 2026 issue of *FRIDAY*