Tatsunori Ibayashi appointed Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

Tatsunori Ibayashi has assumed office as Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism following the formation of the second Takaichi Cabinet on September 17. A former Ministry official and six-term lawmaker, Ibayashi outlined a policy framework centered on three pillars: ensuring public safety and security, achieving robust economic growth, and fostering sustainable regional development through initiatives such as addressing transport gaps and promoting dual-region residency.

In his capacity as Minister, Ibayashi has prioritized disaster response and regional revitalization, including measures to combat overtourism. On September 26, he conducted an inspection of areas affected by the Kumamoto earthquake, including Yatsushiro City. During the visit, he met with Governor Kimura to discuss technical and financial support for infrastructure restoration. Ibayashi noted that the container terminal at Yatsushiro Port is expected to resume full operations by late November and has instructed NEXCO West to provide an early timeline for the restoration of the Minami-Kyushu Expressway.