Public Leaders Academy
The Third Program Application is Closed
Application period: December 20, 2024 (Fri) – January 15, 2025 (Wed)
We held an online information session on Saturday, December 28, 2024
The Murakami Family Foundation Public Leader Academy will support 10-20 women in their teens, 20s, and 30s who aspire to become politicians as third-term students.
Our Mission
According to the World Economic Forum's Gender Gap Index 2024, Japan's gender equality ranks 118th out of 146 countries, the lowest level among developed countries.
The Murakami Family Foundation aims to cultivate the next generation of women public leaders by providing aspiring women who tackle Japan's social issues head-on with financial support, practical educational opportunities, and a community of like-minded participants. Through this initiative, we seek to address social issues and close the gender gap.
Key Features of the Public Leader Academy
COMMUNITY
Join a network of women pursuing political careers, transcending party lines and ideologies
CAREER
Learn from various politicians' (local/national, ruling/opposition parties, independents) real-world experiences
LEARN
Engage in discussions about various policies (children/women's empowerment, economic/financial policy, digital transformation, etc.)
PRACTICE
Optional support for policy development
Program Overview
Lecture Schedule
Tokyo
2025: March 15th (Sat.), May 1st (Thu.), May 17th (Sat.), May 18th (Sun.), June 28th (Sat.), August 2nd (Sat.)
Online
2025: April 5th (Sat.), June 14th (Sat.), July 12th (Sat.), July 26th (Sat.)
Residential Workshop Schedule
Regional City
April 19th (Sat.) - 20th (Sun.)
*To be held in a location 2-3 hours from Tokyo
Student Support
In addition to lectures, students receive:
Challenge Support Grant of 1 million yen
*Conditions apply. Please check application guidelines for details
Travel expenses for in-person classes (for those living far away)
Childcare services at lecture venues (for those with children)
*alphabetical order, honorifics omitted
Main Instructors

Shin ITO
Director, Initiative Japan / Counselor, Digital Agency

Takae ITO
member of the House of Councillors

Shun OTOKITA
Former member of the House of Councilors

Taro KONO
member of the House of Representatives

Jiro TAMURA
Professor Emeritus, Keio University

Kiyomi TSUJIMOTO
member of the House of Councillors

Seiko NODA
member of the House of Representatives

Fumitake FUJITA
member of the House of Representatives

Yuichi HOSOYA
Professor, Faculty of Law, Keio University, and Chief Researcher, Asia-Pacific Initiative

Noriko HORIUCHI
member of the House of Representatives

Yoshiaki MURAKAMI
Investor

Kyoko MORISAWA
Mayor of Shinagawa Ward
Selection Committee

Shihoko URUSHI
President, Shinagawa Joshi Gakuin

Kathy MATSUI
General Partner, MPower Partners Fund L.P.

Tomoko SHIRAI
Social entrepreneur

Tomoko NAGANO
Caster / Journalist

Yoshie KOMURO
President and CEO, Work-Life Balance Inc.
Voice from First-Term Student
Rika Shinohara

Discussing social issues with like-minded peers and receiving lectures from active political leaders made the world of politics feel much more tangible and boosted my motivation! The connections I've made here will be invaluable support for my future challenges.