i. Biography
Yasushi Kaneko leads Hamacho Kaneko in Tokyo as Executive Chef and chef-owner, working from the discipline of traditional soba with tempura. The restaurant’s focus is narrow by design, and that restraint is the point: precise timing, clean texture, and a measured approach to composition define the work.
The Climb
Before entering public service, Yasushi Kaneko trained at Waseda University, then began as secretary to a Diet Member at Diet in Japan. From there, his work moved through government and party structures in Japan, including Parliamentary Secretary for agriculture, forestry and fisheries at Koizumi Cabinet in Japan, Senior Vice-Minister of land, infrastructure and transport at Fukuda and Aso Cabinets in Japan, Deputy Chairman, Policy Research Council at Liberal Democratic Party in Japan, director, Youth Division at Liberal Democratic Party in Japan, and chairman, committee on land, infrastructure, transport and tourism at House of Representatives in Japan. That sequence led to his appointment as minister for Internal Affairs and communications at Government of Japan (2021–2022), a post that marked the scale of his public responsibility. His current portfolio spans member of the house of representatives of House of Representatives (since 2000), minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism of Government of Japan (since 2025), and chef-owner and Executive Chef of Hamacho Kaneko. Across both civic office and kitchen work, the common thread is consistency: sustained attention, disciplined execution, and a preference for structure over display.
Today
At Hamacho Kaneko in Tokyo, Yasushi Kaneko works as chef-owner and Executive Chef in a room defined by soba and tempura. The restaurant’s identity rests on control rather than embellishment, with the cooking measured by exactness, balance, and the discipline needed to keep a pared-back menu fully alive.
Signature
Yasushi's signature dishes include Meoto soba udon. The dish name signals pairing and balance, which fits a kitchen that works through complement rather than excess. Two elements, held together with intent, is the kind of logic that suits his cooking.
Recognition
The named work here is the Tokyo restaurant built around soba and tempura. Hamacho Kaneko reads as the clearest expression of Yasushi Kaneko’s cooking: traditional technique kept in focus, and a menu that uses simplicity as its own measure of precision.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Yasushi
What is Yasushi Kaneko's current role?
As of 2026, Yasushi Kaneko is Executive Chef.
Where did Yasushi Kaneko train or study?
Yasushi Kaneko trained at Waseda University.
What is Yasushi Kaneko known for?
Traditional soba with tempura.
