Goji Sakamoto

Goji Sakamoto is the kind of politician who doesn't come with a flashy backstory — no dynasty, no silver spoon, just a guy from Iwaki, Fukushima who worked his way through Chuo University and planted himself in the world of Japanese politics for the long haul. That alone earns some respect. Earning the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun isn't the sort of thing that falls into your lap; it signals decades of grinding, unglamorous public service. He passed in November 2018 at 74, two days after his birthday, which feels weirdly poetic. I honestly don't know much about the man's day-to-day politics, but the shape of his life — provincial roots, serious education, quiet dedication — reads like someone who picked a lane and stayed in it. Not everyone needs to be a household name to have mattered.

Goji Sakamoto (1944–2018) was a Japanese politician born in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture. He graduated from Chuo University before entering public life, and went on to serve a career in national politics. He was decorated with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun in recognition of his contributions to the state. He passed away on November 4, 2018, at the age of 74.

Name (English)

Goji Sakamoto

Name (Japanese)

坂本剛二

Reading

さかもと ごうじ

Born

November 2, 1944 – November 4, 2018

Zodiac / Chinese zodiac

Scorpio / Monkey (申)

Origin

Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan

Occupation

Politician

University

Chuo University

Awards & achievements

• Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (year unknown)

Motto

Private

• Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9D%82%E6%9C%AC%E5%89%9B%E4%BA%8C

Tags

• From Fukushima Prefecture
• Politician

Last updated

2026-06-02

Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.