Senator Santy S. Asanuma was born to Masami and Maria Baiei Asanuma on December 11, 1961 as the tenth of thirteen children. Blessed with parents who believed and invested in interdisciplinary education, he attended Maris Stella Elementary School and graduated from Mindszenty High School in 1980. His high school years were marked with great success, with such accolades as Senior Class President, Student Body Association President, recipient of the Cardinal Mindszenty Award, winner of the 1979 Palau Legislature Speech Contest, and recipient of the 1980 Palau Legislature Merit Award.

From 1980 to 1984, Senator Asanuma attended the Gonzaga University baccalaureate program in pre-medicine and minored in philosophy. During this time he served as Vice-President and President of the International Students Club, was a member of the University Finance Committee, and a volunteer at Holy Family Hospital Cardiac Unit.

In 1984, Senator Asanuma returned to Palau to assist with his family's business, M. Asanuma Enterprises, which was experiencing a turbulent period due to his father's advanced age. Armed with only the maxim of "hard work pays", he helped the business legacy avert certain doom and, under his stewardship today, the company remains a thriving member of the business community. He has also been an Upward Bound instructor for Micronesia Occupational College, a teacher at Mindszenty High School, and Continental Air Micronesia Passenger Screening and Security Coordinator for Palau.

Long before being elected to office, Senator Asanuma has been passionate about politics and the role of democracy in developing Palau as a young Republic. Through such channels as "The Bridge", an Internet network for discussions on politics and social issues in Palau, and a weekly column in Tia Belau newspaper entitled "Whatanow," he has been a strong supporter of strengthening cultural and traditional values to shape a successful future for all Palauans. He is a role model to young people throughout Palau on public speaking, for holding firm to democratic principles, and for speaking without fear on the issues facing Palau today, including social ills, injustice, and corruption.

Senator Asanuma's legislative goal and governing principle is to seek and ensure economic empowerment to the Palauan people so that Palau's cultural and traditional identity and heritage will continue to foster despite modernization. His goal is that Palauans will continue to keep full control of their islands, affairs, and ultimate destiny. He believes that development that does not have clear and direct benefits for Palauans should not be allowed to take hold in Palau.

Senator Asanuma's major life accomplishment occurred when he met Rebecca Klewei in 1985 under auspicious circumstances. The couple has three children:  Melech Monty, Dil'lungil Polita, and Berruuch Pio. Ever supportive of community affairs, Senator Asanuma is a member of the Catholic Diocesan Finance Committee, Palau Red Cross Society, Society of Human Resource Management, and the NCD Alcohol Group.

Senator Santy Asanuma
The Senate of the Seventh Olbiil Era Kelulau
P.O. Box 8
Koror, Republic of Palau  96940
Email — Santy.Asanuma@palauoek.net