In 1995, she resigned from her post, citing stress associated with gender dysphoria, and began hormone replacement therapy.

[6] She won a four-year term as an independent under huge media attention, placing sixth of 72 candidates running for 52 seats in the Setagaya ward assembly, the most populous district in Tokyo.

[2][7] Despite the government counting her win as part of the number of men elected to public office, she stated that she would work as a woman.

[2] Her platform was to improve rights for women, children, the elderly, the handicapped, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

[5] In 2005, subsequent to the passage of Japan's GID law, Kamikawa was finally able to change the sex designator on her koseki to female.