Kohei Ohtsuka, a former senator and notable political figure in Japan, passed away on the 2nd of this month at the age of 66 due to heart failure. His death was confirmed by his office on the 4th, stating that he had been undergoing treatment for health issues. The funeral was held privately with close family members. Ohtsuka had a significant career in politics, having held multiple high-profile positions until his recent decline in health.

Born in Nagoya City, Ohtsuka graduated from Aichi Prefectural Asahigaoka High School and later from Waseda University. He began his career at the Bank of Japan before transitioning to politics in 2001, when he was elected to the Senate as a member of the old Democratic Party. Throughout his political career, Ohtsuka held various prominent roles including Vice Minister of the Cabinet Office, leader of the old Democratic Party, and deputy leader of the Democratic Party for the People. His influence in Japanese politics was notable, spanning over several electoral terms.

Ohtsuka had recently made headlines when he announced his candidacy for the mayoral election in Nagoya in November 2024 after resigning from his fourth term as a senator. However, he faced a setback when he withdrew his candidacy for the House of Representatives elections in February 2023, citing health concerns, which ultimately contributed to his legacy as a dedicated public servant who had to step back due to health issues towards the end of his career.