Oji Hiroi (広井 王子, Hiroi Ōji; born 8 February 1954), real name Teruhisa Hiroi (廣井 照久, Hiroi Teruhisa), is an author and…Oji Hiroi (広井 王子, Hiroi Ōji; born 8 February 1954), real name Teruhisa Hiroi (廣井 照久, Hiroi Teruhisa), is an author and video game developer. He co-authored Samurai Crusader with Ryoichi Ikegami. He also created the Far East of Eden and Sakura Wars role-playing video game franchises, and wrote the Sakura Wars manga.
Kazuko Takemura (February 3, 1954 – December 13, 2011) was a Japanese scholar of English literature. Her areas of…Kazuko Takemura (February 3, 1954 – December 13, 2011) was a Japanese scholar of English literature. Her areas of expertise included Anglo-American literature, critical theory, film studies, and feminist thought. She was a former professor at Ochanomizu University. Takemura translated the works of Judith Butler and Trinh T. Minh-ha, among others, significantly contributing to the development of feminist theory and thought in Japan.
Hiroko Ōta (大田 弘子, Ōta Hiroko; born 2 February 1954 in Kagoshima, Kagoshima) is a Japanese politician, university…Hiroko Ōta (大田 弘子, Ōta Hiroko; born 2 February 1954 in Kagoshima, Kagoshima) is a Japanese politician, university president and a researcher of economics. Her academic specialties are national public finance and economic policy. She is a noted lecturer of public finance and is a senior professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo. Ōta served as the Japanese cabinet minister of economic policy, which is responsible for charging economic policy and public finance. Under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, she served as the chair for the Council for Promotion of Regulatory Reform. In April 2014, Ōta was appointed to the position of chairwoman of the board by Mizuho Financial Group, Japan's second-largest financial services group. On 1 September 2022, following the return of the previous President, Akihiko Tanaka, to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), she was appointed as President of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies.
Motohiko Izawa (井沢 元彦, Izawa Motohiko; born February 1, 1954, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture) is a Japanese writer of mystery…Motohiko Izawa (井沢 元彦, Izawa Motohiko; born February 1, 1954, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture) is a Japanese writer of mystery novels and historical fiction as well as a historical researcher. He was formerly a news reporter for TBS and since April 2012 has worked as a visiting professor at Shuchiin University.
Kizō Hisamoto (久元 喜造, Hisamoto Kizō) is a Japanese politician and the current mayor of Kobe, the capital city of Hyōgo…Kizō Hisamoto (久元 喜造, Hisamoto Kizō) is a Japanese politician and the current mayor of Kobe, the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture in Japan.
Reiko Aonuma (青沼 令子, Aonuma Reiko; born 28 January 1954) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's…Reiko Aonuma (青沼 令子, Aonuma Reiko; born 28 January 1954) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Jōkō Ninomiya (二宮 城光, Ninomiya Jōkō; born January 27, 1954) is the founder and director of Enshin Karate. He presides…Jōkō Ninomiya (二宮 城光, Ninomiya Jōkō; born January 27, 1954) is the founder and director of Enshin Karate. He presides over the Enshin organization from the headquarters (honbu) in Denver, Colorado. His title as head of the Enshin organization is "Kanchō" (Grandmaster).
Kantaro Tomiyama (富山 幹太郎, Tomiyama Kantarō; born January 22, 1954) is the chairman of the giant Japanese toy…Kantaro Tomiyama (富山 幹太郎, Tomiyama Kantarō; born January 22, 1954) is the chairman of the giant Japanese toy, children's merchandise and entertainment company, Tomy Company, Ltd. (known as Takara Tomy in Japanese). Kantaro Tomiyama was born in 1954 in Tokyo, Japan and is the grandson of the founder of Tomy, Eiichiro Tomiyama. In 1982, Kantaro entered Tomy after graduation from University of Hull in Britain. He became president of Tomy in 1986.
Yuji Matsuo (松尾 雄治, Matsuo Yūji; born 20 January 1954) is a former Japanese rugby union player and a sports journalist.…Yuji Matsuo (松尾 雄治, Matsuo Yūji; born 20 January 1954) is a former Japanese rugby union player and a sports journalist. He played as a fly-half. Matsuo was one of the greatest Japanese rugby players of all times and played for Shin-Nittetsu Kamaishi. He left competition in 1985, after seven consecutive wins. He had 24 caps for Japan, from 1974 to 1984, scoring 3 tries, 5 conversions, 14 penalties and 3 drop goals, in an aggregate of 73 points. After finishing his player career he became a sports journalist for the Japanese television.
Yumi Matsutoya (松任谷 由実, Matsutōya Yumi; born January 19, 1954), nicknamed Yuming (ユーミン, Yūmin), is a Japanese singer…Yumi Matsutoya (松任谷 由実, Matsutōya Yumi; born January 19, 1954), nicknamed Yuming (ユーミン, Yūmin), is a Japanese singer, composer, lyricist and pianist. Matsutoya often writes both the lyrics and the music to her songs, and is renowned for her idiosyncratic voice and live performances. She is one of the most prominent figures in the history of Japanese popular music. Matsutoya's recording career has been commercially successful, with more than 42 million records sold. In 1990, her album The Gates of Heaven became the first album to be certified "2x million" by the RIAJ, and she has had twenty-one No. 1 albums listed on the Oricon charts. She is the only artist to have at least one number-one album every year on the Oricon charts for 18 consecutive years. After gaining several years of experience as a session musician, she debuted as a singer-songwriter in 1972. During her early career, she worked under her maiden name Yumi Arai (荒井 由実, Arai Yumi). In 1975, Arai became known as a composer for "Ichigo Hakusho wo Mou Ichido", a commercially successful song recorded by the folk duo BanBan. She also gained popularity as a vocalist in the same year through the success of "Ano Hi ni Kaeritai", which became her first number-one hit on Japan's Oricon Charts. "Haru-yo, Koi" is another of her famous songs. In The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Japanese Culture, it is written that "Yuming incorporated influences from progressive rock and European pop to produce a sophisticated, upper-middle-class female Japanese voice and sound in a contemporary musical and journalistic world dominated by discussions of folk music and social critique. This musical idiom is generally thought to have been first realised on [...] Cobalt Hour". The album The 14th Moon and the three albums that ranked in the top 10 of the Japanese charts in 1976 (Cobalt Hour, Yuming Brand, and Hikōki-gumo) "contained several songs which are considered to be early classics of the J-pop genre." After marrying her musical collaborator Masataka Matsutoya in 1976, Arai began recording under her married name and has continued to do so. Throughout the 1980s, Matsutoya's music was prominently featured in advertisements for Mitsubishi Motors in her native Japan and her image was used to promote their vehicles. In addition to multiple hit singles, she has obtained enormous commercial success on the Japanese Albums Chart, particularly during the late 1980s and the first half of the 1990s.
Yoshinori Tadokoro (田所 嘉徳, Tadokoro Yoshinori; born 19 January 1954) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Yoshinori Tadokoro (田所 嘉徳, Tadokoro Yoshinori; born 19 January 1954) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Shigeo Nakajima (中島 成雄, Nakajima Shigeo; born January 16, 1954) is a retired Japanese boxer who is a former WBC junior…Shigeo Nakajima (中島 成雄, Nakajima Shigeo; born January 16, 1954) is a retired Japanese boxer who is a former WBC junior flyweight champion. He is an alumnus of the Komazawa University. Nakajima began boxing at Yonekura Boxing Gym at the age of a high school student. He compiled an amateur record of 80–15 (48 KOs) before turning professional.
Tetsumi Takara (高良 鉄美, Takara Tetsumi; born January 15, 1954) is a Japanese politician currently serving as a member of…Tetsumi Takara (高良 鉄美, Takara Tetsumi; born January 15, 1954) is a Japanese politician currently serving as a member of the National Diet in the House of Councillors. He was elected on July 27, 2019, representing the Okinawa at-large district which encompasses the entirety of Okinawa Prefecture.
Masakazu Mori (Japanese: 森 正和), better known by his stage name Yukinojo Mori (森雪之丞, Mori Yukinojō), is a Japanese…Masakazu Mori (Japanese: 森 正和), better known by his stage name Yukinojo Mori (森雪之丞, Mori Yukinojō), is a Japanese lyricist, composer and poet who is affiliated with Amuse, Inc. He has written over 2,500 songs for numerous artists such as Kyosuke Himuro, Takuro Yoshida and Junichi Inagaki and theme songs for anime series including Dragon Ball Z and Kinnikuman.
Masanobu Fuchi (渕 正信, Fuchi Masanobu; born January 14, 1954) is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to All Japan…Masanobu Fuchi (渕 正信, Fuchi Masanobu; born January 14, 1954) is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he is also a director and the co-head booker. Fuchi has exclusively worked for All Japan since his debut in 1974, and holds the record for the longest World Junior Heavyweight Championship reign at 1,309 days. Fuchi became a freelancer in 2009, but officially re-signed with AJPW in 2013 as both a director and wrestler, making him the longest tenured member of the All Japan roster.
Junichi Ishida (石田 純一, Ishida Jun'ichi; born 14 January 1954 as Tarō Ishida (石田 太郎)) is a Japanese actor and television…Junichi Ishida (石田 純一, Ishida Jun'ichi; born 14 January 1954 as Tarō Ishida (石田 太郎)) is a Japanese actor and television personality from Tokyo. He is married to professional golfer Riko Higashio.
Kunio Mikuriya (御厨 邦雄, Mikuriya Kunio) was the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO) from 2009 to…Kunio Mikuriya (御厨 邦雄, Mikuriya Kunio) was the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO) from 2009 to 2023.
Satoshi Kirishima (Japanese: 桐島聡, romanized: Kirishima Satoshi, January 9, 1954 – January 29, 2024) was a Japanese…Satoshi Kirishima (Japanese: 桐島聡, romanized: Kirishima Satoshi, January 9, 1954 – January 29, 2024) was a Japanese anarchist, terrorist, and member of the East Asia Anti-Japan Armed Front. Kirishima had been hiding from the Japanese police since 1975. He revealed his identity in January 2024 in a hospital in Kanagawa, stating he wanted to spend the final days of his life using his real name. It was revealed he had been living under the pseudonym of 'Hiroshi Uchida' (Japanese: 内田洋, romanized: Uchida Hiroshi) in Fujisawa. He died three days later in Kamakura. Kirishima was considered one of Japan's most wanted criminals for a long time. His mugshot, which could be found at police stations across Japan, was well known for his grin and was often parodied.
Yasushi Tao (田尾 安志, Tao Yasushi; born January 8, 1954 in Mitoyo, Kagawa) is a Japanese retired Nippon Professional…Yasushi Tao (田尾 安志, Tao Yasushi; born January 8, 1954 in Mitoyo, Kagawa) is a Japanese retired Nippon Professional Baseball player. He was raised in Osaka. After playing, Tao managed the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. In his one year as manager, the Eagles finished in last in the PL and was the first PL team in 40 years to lose over 90 games in a single season.
Harumi Takahashi (高橋 はるみ, Takahashi Harumi; born 6 January 1954) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Harumi Takahashi (高橋 はるみ, Takahashi Harumi; born 6 January 1954) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and currently a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Yuji Horii (Japanese: 堀井 雄二, Hepburn: Horii Yūji; born January 6, 1954) is a Japanese author, video game designer…Yuji Horii (Japanese: 堀井 雄二, Hepburn: Horii Yūji; born January 6, 1954) is a Japanese author, video game designer, writer and director best known as the creator of the Dragon Quest franchise, supervising and writing the scenario for Chrono Trigger, and The Portopia Serial Murder Case, released in 1983 as one of the first visual novel adventure games. Horii is CEO of his own company, Armor Project, a company that has an exclusive production contract with Square Enix, a contract established with Enix before the company merged with Square, and is also one of the companies who co-own the Dragon Quest franchise alongside Square Enix. In 2025, Horii became the first video game creator to receive the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese government for his contributions to the arts.
Kiyoshi Nakahata (中畑 清, Nakahata Kiyoshi; born January 6, 1954) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…Kiyoshi Nakahata (中畑 清, Nakahata Kiyoshi; born January 6, 1954) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball player. He played for the Yomiuri Giants (1976–1989). He managed the Yokohama DeNA BayStars for four seasons from 2011 to 2015.
Toshiko Miyamoto (宮本 敏子, Miyamoto Toshiko; born 4 January 1954) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed at the 1972 Summer…Toshiko Miyamoto (宮本 敏子, Miyamoto Toshiko; born 4 January 1954) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Akira Kudo (工藤 章, born 1 January 1954 in Iwate Prefecture) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1976…Akira Kudo (工藤 章, born 1 January 1954 in Iwate Prefecture) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Ryūichi Hiroki (廣木 隆一, Hiroki Ryūichi; born January 1, 1954) is a Japanese film director. He won critical acclaim for…Ryūichi Hiroki (廣木 隆一, Hiroki Ryūichi; born January 1, 1954) is a Japanese film director. He won critical acclaim for 800 Two Lap Runners. Film critic and researcher Alexander Jacoby has described Hiroki as "one of the modern Japanese cinema's most intelligent students of character".
Kumiko Nishioka (西岡 久美子, Nishioka Kumiko; born 1954) is a Japanese mathematician at Keio University. She specializes in…Kumiko Nishioka (西岡 久美子, Nishioka Kumiko; born 1954) is a Japanese mathematician at Keio University. She specializes in transcendental numbers, and is known for her research related to the theory of Mahler functions and Painlevé transcendents. In 1996 she published the first comprehensive text on transcendence of Mahler functions, Mahler Functions and Transcendence, extending and generalizing Mahler's method. Her husband Keiji Nishioka is also a mathematician, and a coauthor.
Akinori Nakanishi (仲西 昭徳) (born 1954 in Japan) is the chief designer for Mitsubishi Motors, based at the company's…Akinori Nakanishi (仲西 昭徳) (born 1954 in Japan) is the chief designer for Mitsubishi Motors, based at the company's design and research centre in Okazaki, Aichi. He was appointed to this position in June 2004, having previously worked as the General Manager for Mitsubishi Design Europe in Trebur, Germany. He began working for Mitsubishi in 1977 as soon as he graduated, and was responsible for both the 1991 and 2003 Colts, the HSR concept cars and the Mitsubishi Triton, among others. He cites fashion designers Issey Miyake and Giorgio Armani and movies such as The Matrix and The Lord of the Rings as inspirations, and names the original Mini and the Jaguar E-type as his personal favourite automotive designs. For his company's future, he has envisaged a sporty, wide-track look, saying "We are not a giant company, so we should be unique. This [look] gives them a wider stance. The bean counters don't like that. It is too expensive."
Ryūichi Abe (Japanese: 阿部 龍一, Abe Ryūichi; born 1954) is the Reischauer Institute Professor of Japanese Religions at…Ryūichi Abe (Japanese: 阿部 龍一, Abe Ryūichi; born 1954) is the Reischauer Institute Professor of Japanese Religions at Harvard University. Until May 2004, he was professor of Japanese religions in the departments of religion and East Asian languages and culture at Columbia University. Abe, through his teaching and books, has made an important contribution to the Western understanding of Buddhism in Japan. His book on Kūkai, The Weaving of Mantra: Kūkai and the Construction of Esoteric Buddhist Discourse, underscores Kūkai's impact on 9th-century Japanese society. At a time when Confucian discourse dominated Japan, Kūkai developed a “voice” for Buddhism. He has also written about Ryōkan and Saichō. He received his bachelor's degree in economics from Keio University and his master's degree from School of Advanced International Affairs, Johns Hopkins University. He then received his MPhil and PhD in religious studies from Columbia University. In 1991 he began teaching at Columbia, and in 1998 became the Kao Associate Professor of Japanese Religions. He is a recipient of the Philip and Ruth Hettleman Award for distinguished teaching.
Junko Itō (伊藤 順子, Itō Junko; born 1954) is a Japanese-born American linguist. She is emerita research professor of…Junko Itō (伊藤 順子, Itō Junko; born 1954) is a Japanese-born American linguist. She is emerita research professor of linguistics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She is the daughter of mathematician Kiyosi Itô.
Azusa Noah (野阿 梓, Noa Azusa; born 1954) is a Japanese science fiction writer and aesthetic Yaoi novelist. Noah was born…Azusa Noah (野阿 梓, Noa Azusa; born 1954) is a Japanese science fiction writer and aesthetic Yaoi novelist. Noah was born in 1954, and made a debut in the S-F Magazine in 1979. His real name and the identity are not in public. He is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan.
Junichiro Ito (伊藤 順一郎, Itō Jun'ichirō; born 1954) is a Japanese medical researcher and a psychiatrist. He is currently…Junichiro Ito (伊藤 順一郎, Itō Jun'ichirō; born 1954) is a Japanese medical researcher and a psychiatrist. He is currently the director of the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, National Institute of Mental Health, Japan. Ito's research interests include Assertive Community Treatment and assistance programs for socially withdrawn individuals, called hikikomori.
Mitsuhiro Takemura (武邑 光裕; born 1954-10-25 in Tokyo) is a Japanese scholar specializing in the study of media design…Mitsuhiro Takemura (武邑 光裕; born 1954-10-25 in Tokyo) is a Japanese scholar specializing in the study of media design, professor at Sapporo City University. Takemura graduated from Nihon University in 1976 and received a master's degree from the same school in 1978.
Masanobu Kikukawa (喜久川 政信) is a Japanese martial artist and chairman of the Shorin-ryu Shinkokai style of Okinawan…Masanobu Kikukawa (喜久川 政信) is a Japanese martial artist and chairman of the Shorin-ryu Shinkokai style of Okinawan Karate. Kikukawa was a longtime student of Sokuichi Gibu-hanshi (or "Grand Master Sokuichi Gibu") and Seiki Toma-hanshi. After withdrawal from Gibu's association in 1985, Kikukawa co-founded the Shinkokai association along with colleague Tatsunori Azuma in 1985. In the early 1990s, Kikukawa emigrated to Victoria, British Columbia where he founded the Canadian division of the Shinkokai association, while Tatunori Azuma(東辰徳 1952~2012) continued representing the organization in Okinawa. Kikukawa opened an acupuncture clinic in Surrey; he works with a group of family practitioners in Victoria.
Naoyuki Kinoshita (木下 直之, Kinoshita Naoyuki; born 1954) is a Japanese art historian. He currently works in the…Naoyuki Kinoshita (木下 直之, Kinoshita Naoyuki; born 1954) is a Japanese art historian. He currently works in the University of Tokyo. He was born in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture and graduated from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. He took part in publishing the book The History of Japanese Photography as an essayist along with Kōtarō Iizawa. He is also known for his research of Nishiki-e such as Yoarashi Okinu. In 2010, Kinoshita praised Kengo Kuma for his decision in which a part of old structures of kabuki-za would remain in the new institution.
Gen Suwa (born 1954) is a Japanese paleoanthropologist. He is known for his contributions to the understanding of the…Gen Suwa (born 1954) is a Japanese paleoanthropologist. He is known for his contributions to the understanding of the evolution of early hominids, including the discovery of a tooth from a hominid that was more than one million years older than the oldest previously known hominid. The discovery changed scientific opinion regarding the ancestral splits between humans, chimps and gorillas. A professor at The University Museum of the University of Tokyo, Suwa is a foreign associate of the National Academy of Sciences and a recipient of the Asahi Prize.
Toshiro Nomura (野村 敏郎, Nomura Toshirō; born 1954) is a Japanese astronomer and co-discoverer of 13 asteroids with…Toshiro Nomura (野村 敏郎, Nomura Toshirō; born 1954) is a Japanese astronomer and co-discoverer of 13 asteroids with astronomers Kōyō Kawanishi and Matsuo Sugano. He is also an earth-science teacher of Nada Junior and High School. The main-belt asteroid 6559 Nomura is named in his honor.
Eiko Kaneta (Japanese: 金田 英行 Kaneta Eikō; 30 December 1942 – 17 June 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of the…Eiko Kaneta (Japanese: 金田 英行 Kaneta Eikō; 30 December 1942 – 17 June 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he served in the House of Representatives from 1993 to 2005. Kaneta died in Tokyo on 17 June 2022 at the age of 79.
Tadayoshi Ichida (市田 忠義, Ichida Tadayoshi; born December 28, 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of…Tadayoshi Ichida (市田 忠義, Ichida Tadayoshi; born December 28, 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Councillors for the proportional district from 1998 to 2022. He was the Secretary General of the Japanese Communist Party from 2000 to 2014.
Koya Nishikawa (西川 公也, Nishikawa Kōya; born 26 December 1942) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Koya Nishikawa (西川 公也, Nishikawa Kōya; born 26 December 1942) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Shioya District, Tochigi he attended Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology as both undergraduate and graduate students. After college, he worked at the government Tochigi Prefecture from 1967 to 1978. He was elected to the assembly of Tochigi Prefecture for the first time in 1979 and then to the Diet for the first time in 1996. On 9 December 2020, he resigned as the special adviser to the Cabinet after being involved in a bribery scandal corresponding to a boating trip hosted by a former head of a major egg farm, who was involved in a separate bribery case.
Yasuyuki Kuwahara (桑原 楽之, Kuwahara Yasuyuki; December 22, 1942 – March 1, 2017) was a Japanese football player. He…Yasuyuki Kuwahara (桑原 楽之, Kuwahara Yasuyuki; December 22, 1942 – March 1, 2017) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Kazuyoshi Kaneko (金子 一義, Kaneko Kazuyoshi; born 20 December 1942) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Kazuyoshi Kaneko (金子 一義, Kaneko Kazuyoshi; born 20 December 1942) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Yoshitaka Egawa (江川 嘉孝, Egawa Yoshitaka; 20 December 1942 – 26 December 2024) was a Japanese basketball player. He…Yoshitaka Egawa (江川 嘉孝, Egawa Yoshitaka; 20 December 1942 – 26 December 2024) was a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1964 Summer Olympics. Egawa died in Kisarazu on 26 December 2024, at the age of 82.
Aritatsu Ogi (小城 得達, Ogi Aritatsu; born December 10, 1942) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Aritatsu Ogi (小城 得達, Ogi Aritatsu; born December 10, 1942) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Kōichi Kawakita (川北 紘一, Kawakita Kōichi; December 5, 1942 – December 5, 2014) was a Japanese special effects director…Kōichi Kawakita (川北 紘一, Kawakita Kōichi; December 5, 1942 – December 5, 2014) was a Japanese special effects director, cinematographer, and optical photographer.
Issei Kitagawa (北川 一成, Kitagawa Issei; December 1, 1942 in Higashiōsaka – September 7, 2021) was a Japanese politician…Issei Kitagawa (北川 一成, Kitagawa Issei; December 1, 1942 in Higashiōsaka – September 7, 2021) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A graduate of Kansai University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004 after serving in the assembly of Osaka Prefecture for four terms.
