1992

Received a Master’s degree from the College of Communication,
Boston University

1986

Graduated from Waseda University, Department of Political Science,
School of Political Science and Economics

2016

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
Minister in charge of Industrial Competitiveness
Minister for Economic Cooperation with Russia
Minister in charge of the Response to the Economic Impact caused
by the Nuclear Accident
Minister of State for the Nuclear Damage Compensation and
Decommissioning Facilitation Corporation

2012

Appointed Chairman, LDP Policy Board in the House of Councillors
Appointed Acting Chairman, LDP Policy Research Council
Appointed Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary

2010

Appointed Acting Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the House of Councillors

2006

Appointed Special Advisor to the Prime Minister

2005

Appointed Chairman of the Committee on General Affairs, House of Councillors

2003

Appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Internal Affairs and Communications

1998

Elected to the House of Councillors (from Wakayama Prefecture.
Re-elected in 2001, 2007 and 2013. Now serving his fourth term)

1996

Served as Section Manager in charge of Press relations in the Public Relations at Head Office, NTT

1986

Joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT)