1993, elected to House of Representatives, Japan; 2002, Chairman, Policy Research Council, Democratic Party of Japan; 2004, Chairman, Research Commission on the Constitution, Democratic Party of Japan; 2009, Head, Working Groups, for review of government programmes, Government Revitalization Unit; 2010, Secretary-General, Democratic Party of Japan; 2011, Chief Cabinet Secretary; 2011-12, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan.