Ex-marathon runner Akemi Matsuno to win seat in Japan's upper house election July 11, 2022 (Mainichi Japan) Japanese version Akemi Matsuno (Mainichi/Makoto Kakizaki) Former marathon runner Akemi Matsuno is certain to win a seat in the House of Councillors election that was held on July 10. The 54-year-old newcomer ran in the proportional representation bloc on the ticket of the conservative opposition Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party). A native of Kumamoto Prefecture, Matsuno previously served as a member of the Kumamoto Prefectural Assembly and the Kumamoto Municipal Assembly. (Mainichi) Font Size SML Print Go to The Mainichi Home Page