BA, University of Kyoto; studies, University of Michigan and Johns Hopkins SAIS. With NHK: former Correspondent, Okinawa Station, Foreign News Department, Tokyo and Washington DC Bureau; Bureau Chief, Los Angeles Bureau and Washington DC Bureau; first Bureau Chief, Tehran; Anchor, NHKBS World Wave Tonight and NHK News Watch 9; General Director, NHK General Bureau for America; currently, Chief Commentator and Executive Director of Commentators Bureau