Toshiaki Endo

Toshiaki Endo
Toshiaki Endo
遠藤利明
	Official portrait, 2015
Member of the House of Representatives
	In office; 10 November 2003 – 23 January 2026
Preceded by	Michihiko Kano
Succeeded by	Hiroaki Endo
Constituency	Yamagata 1st (2003–2009); Tohoku PR (2009–2012); Yamagata 1st (2012–2026)
	In office; 19 July 1993 – 2 June 2000
Preceded by	Takehiko Endo
Succeeded by	Multi-member district
Constituency	Yamagata 1st (1993–1996); Tohoku PR (1996–2000)
Member of the Yamagata Prefectural Assembly
	In office; 1983–1990
Personal details
Born	17 January 1950 (age 76); Kaminoyama, Yamagata, Japan
Party	LDP (since 1994)
Other political; affiliations	JNP (1992–1994)
Children	Hiroaki Endo
Education	Chuo University

Toshiaki Endo (遠藤利明, Endō Toshiaki; born 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).

Early life

Endo is a native of Kaminoyama, Yamagata and graduate of Chuo University (where he played Rugby).

Political career

Endo was elected to the assembly of Yamagata Prefecture in 1983, serving there for one term. In 1993 he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time as an independent after an unsuccessful run in 1990. He headed an overhaul of Japan's English language education. In 2015 he was appointed to oversee the 2020 Summer Olympics preparations on behalf of the Japanese government.

Donation scandal

In February 2016 it emerged that he had received ¥9.5 million over five years in donations from the head of an unnamed Tokyo-based teacher dispatch company as the company was trying to boost the use of Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) across Japan. It was alleged that due to the donations Endo lobbied for greater use of ALTs and supported a project the company was pushing. Staff of the company spoke about how they appreciated Endo's efforts.

Endo admitted the donations and expanding the use of ALTs but claimed that he had done nothing wrong. Prime Minister Abe defended Endo and said “My administration would never let cash affect its policies”.