1977, graduate, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tokyo; 1982, MSc, Iowa State University, US. 1977-2001, with Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; 2001, Member of the House of Councillors (1st); 2007, Member of the House of Councillors (2nd); 2009, Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, House of Councillors; Jul. 2010, Chairman, Committee on Budget, House of Councillors; Sep. 2010, Senior Vice-Minister of Cabinet Office for National Policy (Reshuffled Kan Cabinet); Jan. 2011, Senior Vice-Minister of Cabinet Office for National Policy (2nd Reshuffled Kan Cabinet); Jul. 2011, Minister for Reconstruction in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake, Minister of State for Disaster Management (2nd Reshuffled Kan Cabinet); Sep. 2011, Minister for Reconstruction in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake, Minister of State for Disaster Management (Noda Cabinet); Jan. 2012, Minister for Reconstruction in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake, Minister of State for Disaster Management (Reshuffled Noda Cabinet); Feb. 2012, Minister for Reconstruction, Minister for Comprehensive Review of Measures in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake (Reshuffled Noda Cabinet).