1986, graduate, Waseda University; 1992, Master's degree, Boston University. 1986, joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT); 1998, elected Member, House of Councillors, from Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. 2005, Chairman, Committee on General Affairs in the Upper House; 2006, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister; since 2012, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary. Member, Liberal Democratic Party.