Making Global Headlines: Political Powerhouse Joins Kyoyo Co., Ltd.
Making Global Headlines: Political Powerhouse Takes a Key Role at Kyoyo Co., Ltd.
Former House of Councillors President Akiko Santo Joins as Group Advisor, Pioneering a New Era of “Taiwanese Technology × Japanese Manufacturing × Global Markets”
[Tokyo, Japan] October 22, 2025
Kyoyo Co., Ltd. (Headquartered in Tokyo), a leading Japanese real estate development and comprehensive services company, is pleased to announce that Ms. Akiko Santo, former President of the House of Councillors of Japan and a veteran politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, has officially joined the company as an Advisor, effective immediately.
Since first being elected to the House of Councillors in 1974, Ms. Santo has served in a number of senior positions, including Minister of Health and Welfare, Vice-President of the House of Councillors, and Chairperson of the LDP House of Councillors Caucus. From 2019 to 2022, she served as the 32nd President of Japan’s House of Councillors. With decades of commitment to health and welfare, education reform, and regional revitalization, she has earned broad recognition across political and social circles for her vision and ability to translate policy into action.
■ Political Leadership × Corporate Vision
Ms. Santo has long focused on Japan’s regional economies and the transformation of industrial structures, with extensive experience in both national and local government policy processes. Her appointment represents a strategic combination of political experience and corporate innovation, supporting Kyoyo Co., Ltd. in its efforts to:
- Strengthen policy dialogue and communication with government agencies and local authorities;
- Promote the institutional development of Taiwan-Japan cooperation zones;
- Facilitate industrial alliances among businesses, research institutions, and academia;
- Develop new urban models centered on health, sustainability, and smart technologies.
Dr. Chen Chen-hsing, Representative Director of Kyoyo Co., Ltd., stated: “It is a great honor for Kyoyo to welcome Ms. Akiko Santo. Her policy vision and strong sense of social responsibility will help guide the company toward creating a deeper and more far-reaching impact in regional revitalization, technology industries, and international cooperation.”
• Dr. Chen Chen-hsing, Chairman of the Murad International Group (right), and Ms. Akiko Santo, former President of Japan’s House of Councillors (left), at the appointment letter signing ceremony held in Tokyo.
Image source: Kyoyo Co., Ltd.
■ Integrating Technology and Urban Development: KAiTA Project Launch
As international technology companies continue to establish operations in the region, industrial development in Kumamoto has accelerated rapidly. Infrastructure and industrial space across the region are experiencing significant demand, reflecting the strong growth potential and economic momentum of the local economy.
Kyoyo Co., Ltd. also announced that on September 25, 2025, it formally submitted an application to the Ozu Town Government in Kumamoto Prefecture to join the Kumamoto Science Park and develop the Kumamoto AI Technology Arena (KAiTA Project). Leveraging Kyoyo’s expertise in real estate development, rental operations, and urban design, the project will be developed as an integrated technology park featuring commercial offices, smart warehousing, residential communities, and industrial support functions, with the aim of attracting more highly skilled technology professionals and emerging companies to Kumamoto.
The company expects the launch of the KAiTA Project to create more than 3,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, while stimulating surrounding industry chains including retail, transportation, education, and healthcare, thereby injecting long-term growth momentum into the local economy.
The KAiTA Project will serve as a model development integrating “Industry Incubation + Living & Residential Services + International Exchange”, enabling more Taiwanese companies to use Japan as a base for expanding into global markets. This represents not only a new milestone in Taiwan-Japan economic cooperation, but also a new chapter in Japan’s regional revitalization and industrial renewal.