Hiroshi Hase

Hiroshi Hase
馳 浩
Official portrait, 2010
Governor of Ishikawa Prefecture
Assumed office
28 March 2022
Preceded byMasanori Tanimoto
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
In office
7 October 2015  3 August 2016
Prime MinisterShinzō Abe
Preceded byHakubun Shimomura
Succeeded byHirokazu Matsuno
Member of the House of Representatives
In office
25 June 2000  14 October 2021
Preceded byKen Okuda
Succeeded byTakuo Komori
ConstituencyIshikawa 1st (2000–2003; 2005–2009; 2012–2021)
Hokuriku-Shin'etsu PR (2003–2005; 2009–2012)
Member of the House of Councillors
In office
23 July 1995  12 May 2000
Preceded byTakashi Awamori
Succeeded byTetsuo Kutsukake
ConstituencyIshikawa at-large
Personal details
Born (1961-05-05) 5 May 1961
Oyabe, Toyama, Japan
Political partyLiberal Democratic
Spouse
Kyoko Takami
(m. 1994)
Alma materSenshu University
Websitehttp://hase-hiroshi.org/
Ring name(s)Hiro Hase
Hiroshi Hase
Viet Cong Express #1
Billed height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Billed weight105 kg (231 lb)
Billed fromHo Chi Minh City, North Vietnam (as Viet Cong Express #1)
Trained byRiki Choshu
Stu Hart
Tokyo Joe
DebutFebruary 28, 1986

Hiroshi Hase (馳 浩, Hase Hiroshi, born May 5, 1961) is a Japanese politician and semi-retired professional wrestler who is currently the governor of Ishikawa Prefecture. As a professional wrestler, Hase primarily worked for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and also for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and Stampede Wrestling. During his affiliation with AJPW, he also served as the chairman for the Pacific Wrestling Federation (PWF), which is the governing body for all championships in the promotion. Among his numerous title wins, Hase held the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship once, making him a one-time world champion.

From October 2015 until August 2016, Hase served as the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology under Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and his LDP party. Prior to his appointment in the Cabinet, he also served as a member of the House of Representatives of the National Diet, representing the 1st district of Ishikawa Prefecture.