1979, joined Kobe Steel. 1982, Executive Assistant to the Minister for Foreign Affairs; 1993, elected as Member of the House of Representatives (thereafter re-elected in seven consecutive elections). 1999, Trustee, Committee on Health and Welfare Director, Social Affairs Division, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). 2000, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Second Mori Cabinet, Reshuffled, Second Mori Cabinet). 2001, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (First Koizumi Cabinet, Second Mori Cabinet, Reshuffled). 2002, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (First Koizumi Cabinet, Reshuffled). 2003, Secretary-General, LDP. 2004, Acting Secretary-General and Chairman, Reform Promotion Headquarters, LDP. 2005, Chief Cabinet Secretary (Third Koizumi Cabinet, Reshuffled). 2006, President , LDP; Prime Minister. 2007, resigned as Prime Minister. 2012, President, LDP; Prime Minister.