1978, Bachelor's in Economics, University of Tokyo; 1983, Master's degree, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. 1978-92: with Marubeni Corporation; Political Journalist, Yomiuri Shimbun; Management Consultant, McKinsey & Company. 1993, elected to the House of Representatives; 1999, Vice-Minister for International Trade and Industry; 2002, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs; 2003, Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs, Science and Technology Policy, and Information Technology; 2007, Chairman, Committee on Health, Labour and Welfare, House of Representatives; 2008, Minister of State for Financial Services and Administrative Reform; 2010, Chairman, Public Relations Headquarters, Liberal Democratic Party; 2011, Chairman, Policy Research Council, Liberal Democratic Party; since 2012, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.