Ken Akamatsurenowned author of Love Hina and Negima!announced that he has ended his duties as Parliamentary Deputy Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in the Japanese government. His position was assumed by Masato Shimizuas reported by Akamatsu himself through his official account on X.
After leaving office, Akamatsu will continue to serve as an active member of the House of Councilors within various committees, including Education, Culture and Science, Consumer Affairs and Youth, as well as the Natural Resources and Energy Committee. In a separate post, the author also commemorated the 27th anniversary of the manga release Love Hinawhich debuted on October 21, 1998.
Political career
Akamatsu was appointed Parliamentary Deputy Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and Parliamentary Deputy Minister of Reconstruction he November 13, 2024as part of the prime minister's second cabinet Shigeru Ishiba. Parliamentary deputy ministers assist ministers and deputy ministers in their respective areas, although they cannot replace them in case of absence.
Member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)Akamatsu became the first manga author to obtain a seat in the Upper House of the Japanese Parliament. Since entering politics, he has worked to defend the rights of creators and freedom of expression in the entertainment industry.
Defense of the creators
Since 2011, Akamatsu has been actively involved in debates on privacy laws. copyright and regulations on cultural content. In that year he warned that the reforms to the Copyright Law could affect works derived from dōjinshi. He also opposed changes in the Child Pornography Law that did not distinguish between real material and artistic representations, causing the final version of the project to exclude anime and manga.
In 2019, together with the Japan Cartoonists Associationexpressed concern about a government proposal that expanded the scope of the Copyright Law to images and lyrics published on the Internet, including screenshots. In 2022, Akamatsu responded to statements from UN Womenpointing out that the regulation of manga and video games had to be approached rationally and without external pressures.
Contributions to the digital sector
In 2008Akamatsu launched digital library Manga Library Zwhich offered free manga with ads and no DRM. The project, which collaborated with publishers such as Kodansha and Shueishaceased operations in November 2024 due to problems with payment services. Through this platform, the author sought to promote a sustainable model of legal digital distribution for independent creators.
Works and legacy
Akamatsu debuted with Love Hina in 1998, a romantic comedy that established him as one of the most influential manga artists of his generation. He later published Negima! and its sequel UQ Holder!in addition to Itsudatte My Santa!. His works have inspired multiple anime, OVA and live-action adaptations, consolidating his impact on the Japanese manga and animation industry.
What do you think about Ken Akamatsu's political and creative career within the Japanese industry?
