title: Shigeharu Aoyama
text: # Shigeharu Aoyama
  
  Shigeharu Aoyama (青山繁晴) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan, since 2016. He represents the National proportional representation block. He currently serves on the following committees:
  
  ## Early life
  
  Aoyama was born on July 25, 1952, in the Hyogo Prefecture of Japan. He graduated from the school of political science and economics of Waseda University in 1979.
  
  ## Career
  
  Prior to his election to the House of Councillors, Aoyama worked as a journalist and founded a think tank. A summary of his career is below:
  
  * 1979-98: Worked as a journalist for Kyodo News.
  * 1998-2002: Researcher for Mitsubishi Research Institute (think tank).
  * 2002: Founded "Japan's Independent Institute", a think tank (separated from Mitsubishi).
  
  In 2016, he was elected to the House of Councillors.
  
  