Michihito Matsuda

Tama near Tokyo: mayoral candidate

Born in 1973 in Tama, Tokyo, Michihito Matsuda quickly took to the digital world. Beginning as a Web Produder, Michihito Matsuda stood out as founder of the file-sharing computer service FileRogue. Its popularity among music lovers quickly escalated. At the same time the start-up became a huge threat to the music industry which eventually made him shut down its service.

This year he introduced a new concept with revolutionary potential: the world's first AI candidate for mayor. On Japanese social media, this fueled up a controversial discussion. Some were calling the campaign a stunt as a human will ultimately be in charge. Others argued they were strangely excited as an AI could be the better alternative to incompetent and scandalous humans.