Andō Nobuaki

Ando Nobuaki (Ando Nobuaki, March 2, 1890 – December 16, 1976) was a Japanese peer, holding the status of Viscount. He belonged to the lineage of the head of Iwaki-Taira Domain and was also active as a member of the House of Peers. His original name was Arima Yoriatsu, and his elder brother was Arima Yorinaga.

He was born in Tokyo as the second son of Count Arima Yoramitsu (head of the Chikugo Kurume Domain family). His mother was Toyo (daughter of Toda Tadayoshi), and his adoptive father was Nobuaki Ando. His siblings included an half-sister, Sadako (wife of Okudaira Masaaki), an half-brother, Arima Yorinaga, and a full-brother, Masayuki Matsuda (successor to Masahisa Matsuda), as well as a full sister, Kume (wife of Inada Masaue).

He graduated from the Tokyo Metropolitan Horticultural School (now Tokyo Metropolitan Horticultural High School). His adoptive father, Nobuaki Ando, succeeded to the family headship in 1915 (Taisho 4). On the very day he inherited the family estate, he was granted the title of Viscount. On July 10 of the same year, he was appointed Viscount.

In 1915, he married Kyoko, the eldest daughter of Prince Kan'in Prince Kuninomiya Atsu (1896–1992).

His career in public office was extensive. After graduating from the Tokyo Metropolitan Horticultural School in 1915, he was appointed as a Court Gentleman Attendant in 1921 and subsequently served as a samurai attendant and ceremonial officer. He also served as an official in the grand ceremony for Emperor Shōwa's accession to the throne.

In terms of political activity, he was elected as a member of the House of Peers (as Viscount) on July 10, 1932, and belonged to the Research Association. He held his seat until the abolition of the House of Peers on May 2, 1947. During his tenure, he also served as a member of the Interior Ministry Committee and the Cabinet Committee.

He was involved in public social activities as well; he served as an associate member of the Japanese Red Cross Society, an advisor to the Society's voluntary nursing group, and as a director of Yokohama Life Insurance Company. His gravesite is at Dama Reien Cemetery.

In sports, he was involved in Japan's early professional baseball scene along with his older brother, Yorinaga Arima. On January 17, 1936, he cooperated with Yorinaga and helped form the Tokyo Senators, a professional baseball team operated by Seibu Railway. Nobuaki served as the team's president, while Yorinaga was the owner. He was also appointed as one of the first Vice Presidents of the Japan Professional Baseball League (later known as Nippon Professional Baseball) established on February 5 of the same year.

His family consisted of his father, Yoramitsu Arima; his mother, Toyo; his adoptive father, Nobuaki Ando; his wife, Kyoko; and children, including his eldest son, Nobuyoshi (1917–1936), his second son, Nobuwa, and three sons and four daughters in total. Nobuyoshi died young; Nobuwa was a member of the Kaikaikan (former peerage association).

Sources include "Jinji Ko shindansho" by Jinji Ko Shinbun-sho, the "Kizokuin Yoran (Type C)" published by the House of Peers Secretariat, "Gikai Seido Hyakunen Shi" (Centennial History of the Parliamentary System) from the House of Representatives and House of Councillors, and "Heisei Shinshu Koshoku Kazoku Kieki Taisei" (Heisei New Family Lineages of Former Nobility) published by Kasumi Kaikan.