Hitoshi Kawakatsu is a Japanese seismologist and University of Tokyo professor. He won a Beno Gutenberg Medal from the…Hitoshi Kawakatsu is a Japanese seismologist and University of Tokyo professor. He won a Beno Gutenberg Medal from the European Geosciences Union in 2017 and a Inge Lehmann Medal in 2025. He is a fellow of the American Geophysical Union.
Seiji Nishino is a Japanese neuroscientist and writer. He is a professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral sciences…Seiji Nishino is a Japanese neuroscientist and writer. He is a professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Stanford University. He is also the director of Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine. Nishino, a well-known sleep researcher, he researches sleep disorders, sleep and circadian physiology using animal models. Since 2016, he has been director of Good Quality Sleep Research Organization. He is also the author of a best-selling Japanese book on sleep.
Kōichi Kusano (Kusano Koichi; born March 22, 1955) is a Japanese jurist who served as an associate justice of the…Kōichi Kusano (Kusano Koichi; born March 22, 1955) is a Japanese jurist who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Japan from 2019 to 2025.
Tokiko Kato (加藤 登紀子, Katō Tokiko; born December 27, 1943) is a Japanese singer, composer, lyricist, actress and…Tokiko Kato (加藤 登紀子, Katō Tokiko; born December 27, 1943) is a Japanese singer, composer, lyricist, actress and activist. She was born in Harbin, Manchukuo, to Japanese parents. She graduated from the University of Tokyo. She worked as a visiting professor at Josai International University. Her career and personal life became deeply intertwined with Japan's radical 1960s student and peace movements. 1972 she married Toshio Fujimoto, leader of the student movement, who was in jail. While being held hostage by hijackers on All Nippon Airways Flight 857, Kato used her cell phone to keep in contact with police during the hijacking. In the late summer of 2023, as geopolitical tensions simmered between China and Japan, she staged a concert for peace in Harbin,.
Kenji Maruyama (丸山 健二, Maruyama Kenji; born December 23, 1943) is a Japanese author. He received the Akutagawa Prize…Kenji Maruyama (丸山 健二, Maruyama Kenji; born December 23, 1943) is a Japanese author. He received the Akutagawa Prize for one of his novels, Summer’s Passage (夏の流れ, Natsu no nagare), in 1966, at the age of 23, becoming the third of an often touted group of college seniors to win the prize at age 23, following Ishihara Shintaro and Oe Kenzaburo.
Masafumi Hara (原 正文, Hara Masafumi; born December 21, 1943) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Masafumi Hara (原 正文, Hara Masafumi; born December 21, 1943) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Sata Isobe (磯辺 サタ, Isobe Sata; 19 December 1944 – 18 December 2016) was a Japanese volleyball player. She was a member…Sata Isobe (磯辺 サタ, Isobe Sata; 19 December 1944 – 18 December 2016) was a Japanese volleyball player. She was a member of the Japanese winning teams, Oriental Witches, at the 1962 World Championships and 1964 Summer Olympics. She died in 2016 at the age of 72. It is reported by The Sankei News that she lost her parents because of World War II but never lost her patience, warm personality and strength.
Shiratayama Hidetoshi (born 25 December 1943 as Hidetoshi Shirata) is a former sumo wrestler from Kagami, Kumamoto…Shiratayama Hidetoshi (born 25 December 1943 as Hidetoshi Shirata) is a former sumo wrestler from Kagami, Kumamoto, Japan. He made his professional debut in September July 1959 and reached the top division in March 1971. His highest rank was maegashira 4. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, under the name Tanigawa. He reached the Sumo Association's mandatory retirement age in December 2008.
Keisuke Sawaki (澤木 啓祐, Sawaki Keisuke; born 8 December 1943) is a Japanese former long-distance runner who competed in…Keisuke Sawaki (澤木 啓祐, Sawaki Keisuke; born 8 December 1943) is a Japanese former long-distance runner who competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics and in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Noriko Ohara (大原永子, Ōhara Noriko; born December 8, 1943) is a Japanese artistic director and retired ballet dancer. She…Noriko Ohara (大原永子, Ōhara Noriko; born December 8, 1943) is a Japanese artistic director and retired ballet dancer. She was a principal dancer with the Scottish Ballet from 1976 to 1995. Since 2014, she has been the artistic director of the National Ballet of Japan at the New National Theatre, Tokyo. Ohara was awarded an honorary Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1997 and was named to Japan's Order of the Rising Sun in 2014.
Masahiro Doi (土井 正博, Doi Masahiro) (born December 8, 1943) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder in…Masahiro Doi (土井 正博, Doi Masahiro) (born December 8, 1943) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder in Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Kintetsu Buffaloes from 1962 to 1974 and the Taiheiyo Club / Crown Lighter / Seibu Lions from 1975 to 1981. In a career that spanned 20 years, the slugger was selected to 15 All-Star games and was named to the Best Nine Award three times (1967, 1968, 1978). Over four decades after his retirement, Doi ranks 10th all-time in hits in Japanese baseball history with 2,452. He last served as the batting coach for the Chunichi Dragons.
Yuriko Hoshi (星 由里子, Hoshi Yuriko; 6 December 1943 – 16 May 2018), born Yuriko Shimizu (清水 由里子), was a Japanese…Yuriko Hoshi (星 由里子, Hoshi Yuriko; 6 December 1943 – 16 May 2018), born Yuriko Shimizu (清水 由里子), was a Japanese actress. She appeared in more than 90 films beginning in 1959.
Kiyoshi Tomizawa (富沢 清司, Tomizawa Kiyoshi; born December 3, 1943) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…Kiyoshi Tomizawa (富沢 清司, Tomizawa Kiyoshi; born December 3, 1943) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Kiwako Taichi (太地 喜和子, Taichi Kiwako; 2 December 1943 – 13 October 1992) was a Japanese film actress. She appeared in…Kiwako Taichi (太地 喜和子, Taichi Kiwako; 2 December 1943 – 13 October 1992) was a Japanese film actress. She appeared in 20 films between 1967 and 1985.
Thereza Imanishi-Kari is an associate professor of pathology at Tufts University. Her research focuses on the origins…Thereza Imanishi-Kari is an associate professor of pathology at Tufts University. Her research focuses on the origins of autoimmune diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus, studied using mice as model organisms. Previously she had been a faculty member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is notable for her role in what became known as the "Baltimore affair", in which a 1986 paper she co-authored with David Baltimore was the subject of research misconduct allegations. Following a series of investigations, she was eventually exonerated of the charges in 1996.
Fumiko Saiga (齋賀 富美子, Saiga Fumiko; November 30, 1943 – April 24, 2009) was a Japanese diplomat and was the first…Fumiko Saiga (齋賀 富美子, Saiga Fumiko; November 30, 1943 – April 24, 2009) was a Japanese diplomat and was the first Japanese person and Asian woman to serve as a judge on the International Criminal Court. Her work focused on human rights and gender equality. As a politician, she was the Lieutenant Governor of Saitama Prefecture from 1998-2000.
Kiyoshi Suzuki (鈴木 清, Suzuki Kiyoshi; 1943–2000) was a Japanese photographer. He began photographing in the late 1960s…Kiyoshi Suzuki (鈴木 清, Suzuki Kiyoshi; 1943–2000) was a Japanese photographer. He began photographing in the late 1960s in Iwaki, where he was born on 30 November 1943. He worked for thirty years in relative isolation. Suzuki's way of designing his photography books, layer upon layer upon layer, became central to his art.
Masatoshi Takeichi (竹市 雅俊, Takeichi Masatoshi, born November 27, 1943) is a Japanese cell biologist known for his…Masatoshi Takeichi (竹市 雅俊, Takeichi Masatoshi, born November 27, 1943) is a Japanese cell biologist known for his identification of the cadherin class of adhesion molecules, which plays important roles in the construction of tissues. He shared the 2005 Japan Prize with Erkki Ruoslahti for "fundamental contribution in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cell adhesion". He was selected as a Member of the Japan Academy (MJA) in 2000 and as a Foreign Associate of the United States National Academy of Sciences.
Akira Kasai (1943) is a Japanese butoh dancer and choreographer, who despite being significantly younger than mentors…Akira Kasai (1943) is a Japanese butoh dancer and choreographer, who despite being significantly younger than mentors Kazuo Ohno and Tatsumi Hijikata, is considered to be pioneers of the art form along with them. Kasai trained in other forms of dance, but turned to butoh in the 1960s when he met and began to work with these two men. He started his own studio in 1971 but closed it in 1979 to move and study Eurythmy in Germany. He did not dance professionally at the time and for years after his return to Japan in 1986 he stayed off the stage stating that he felt too disconnected from Japanese society to perform. He returned to professional dance in 1994, with the work Saraphita and revived his studio Tenshi kan, now influenced by Eurythmy and other dance principles. He has since performed, choreographed and taught in Asia, the Americas and Europe, but his choreography is sufficiently different from most other butoh that its authenticity has been questioned.
Takaji Mori (森 孝慈, Mori Takaji; November 24, 1943 – July 17, 2011) was a Japanese football player and manager. He…Takaji Mori (森 孝慈, Mori Takaji; November 24, 1943 – July 17, 2011) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Tetsuro Nomura (野村 哲郎, Nomura Tetsuro; born November 20, 1943) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Tetsuro Nomura (野村 哲郎, Nomura Tetsuro; born November 20, 1943) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Hayato, Kagoshima and high school graduate, he was elected for the first time in 2004.
Osamu Dezaki (出﨑 統, Dezaki Osamu; November 18, 1943 – April 17, 2011), also known as Makura Saki (崎枕, Saki Makura), Kan…Osamu Dezaki (出﨑 統, Dezaki Osamu; November 18, 1943 – April 17, 2011), also known as Makura Saki (崎枕, Saki Makura), Kan Matsudo (松戸完, Matsudo Kan), Toru Yabuki (矢吹徹, Yabuki Toru) or Kuyou Sai (斉九洋, Sai Kuyou), was a Japanese anime director and screenwriter.
Futagodake Takeshi (Japanese: 二子岳 武; born Takeshi Yamanaka (山中 武), November 15, 1943 – September 10, 2026) was a…Futagodake Takeshi (Japanese: 二子岳 武; born Takeshi Yamanaka (山中 武), November 15, 1943 – September 10, 2026) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Kanagi, Aomori. He made his professional debut in January 1961, and reached the top division in January 1967. His highest rank was komusubi. He retired in September 1976 and became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association. In 1993 he branched out from Futagoyama stable and opened up Araiso stable. Araiso stable folded when Futagodake reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 in November 2008. In September 1974, his 11th day match with yokozuna Mienoumi was declared a draw (hikiwake) after multiple water breaks (mizu-iri) and a rematch (torinaoshi) failed to yield any progress. This was the first draw to be called in makuuchi since September 1963, and to date stands as the last such occurrence. Futagodake died from hepatocellular carcinoma on September 10, 2026, at the age of 82. The Japan Sumo Association announced his death on September 13.
Katsumasa Suzuki (鈴木 克昌, Suzuki Katsumasa; born 14 November 1943) is a former Japanese politician who served as a…Katsumasa Suzuki (鈴木 克昌, Suzuki Katsumasa; born 14 November 1943) is a former Japanese politician who served as a member of House of Representatives for the Tomorrow Party of Japan. He was previously a member of the Democratic Party of Japan. Born in Gamagōri, Aichi he graduated from Nihon University with a degree in economics. He was elected for the first time in 2003 after an unsuccessful run in 2000.
Yamato Inaba (稲葉 大和, Inaba Yamato; born 12 November 1943) is a former Japanese politician, who was a member of House of…Yamato Inaba (稲葉 大和, Inaba Yamato; born 12 November 1943) is a former Japanese politician, who was a member of House of Representatives and the Liberal Democratic Party. Born in Chiyoda, Tokyo he graduated from Chuo University in 1966. He was elected for the first time in 1993 after an unsuccessful run in 1990. He represented the 3rd District of Niigata Prefecture until 2009.
Yoshimasa "Yoshi" Wada (11 November 1943 – 18 May 2021) was a Fluxus-related Japanese sound art installation artist and…Yoshimasa "Yoshi" Wada (11 November 1943 – 18 May 2021) was a Fluxus-related Japanese sound art installation artist and new music musician who lived in New York City before moving to San Francisco, California.
Masako Kisaki (木崎 正子, Kisaki Masako; born 7 November 1943) is a Japanese middle-distance runner. She competed in the…Masako Kisaki (木崎 正子, Kisaki Masako; born 7 November 1943) is a Japanese middle-distance runner. She competed in the women's 800 metres at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Kimiko Ezaka (江坂 君子, Ezaka Kimiko; born 6 November 1943) is a Japanese former swimmer. She competed at the 1960 Summer…Kimiko Ezaka (江坂 君子, Ezaka Kimiko; born 6 November 1943) is a Japanese former swimmer. She competed at the 1960 Summer Olympics in the 400 metres freestyle and the 4×100 metres freestyle relay, and the 1964 Summer Olympics in the 400 metres individual medley, but did not reach the finals in any of her events.
Katsuhiko Yokomitsu (横光 克彦, Yokomitsu Katsuhiko; born 4 November 1943) is a Japanese actor and politician of the…Katsuhiko Yokomitsu (横光 克彦, Yokomitsu Katsuhiko; born 4 November 1943) is a Japanese actor and politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), who serves as a member of the House of Representatives in the National Diet (national legislature).
Go Osaka (逢坂 剛, Ōsaka Gō; born 1 November 1943) is a Japanese writer of crime fiction, hardboiled, thriller, spy…Go Osaka (逢坂 剛, Ōsaka Gō; born 1 November 1943) is a Japanese writer of crime fiction, hardboiled, thriller, spy fiction and western fiction. He served as the 11th President of the Mystery Writers of Japan from 2001 to 2005. Outside of his literary works, he is also known for his interest in Flamenco music. He is a competent guitarist in his own right and has several guitars around his office.
Hiroe Amano (天野博江, Hiroe Amano; born 6 November 1943) is a former badminton player of Japan. Amano won several…Hiroe Amano (天野博江, Hiroe Amano; born 6 November 1943) is a former badminton player of Japan. Amano won several international and national titles in the 1960s. She was among the most notable of a cadre of fine players who helped Japan to win the Uber Cup (women's world team) competitions in 1966 and in 1969. In 1978 she was the coach of the successful Japanese Uber Cup team.
Ryotaro Tanose (田野瀬 良太郎, Tanose Ryōtarō; born 31 October 1943) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal…Ryotaro Tanose (田野瀬 良太郎, Tanose Ryōtarō; born 31 October 1943) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Yasunari Ishimi (born 30 October 1943) is a Japanese karate expert who spent most of his career as an instructor in…Yasunari Ishimi (born 30 October 1943) is a Japanese karate expert who spent most of his career as an instructor in Spain. He is in the 10th Dan of the Spanish Karate Federation and the World Karate Federation.
Keisuke Ito (伊藤 圭祐, Itō Keisuke; 29 October 1943 – 5 December 2006) was a Japanese swimmer who competed in the 1964…Keisuke Ito (伊藤 圭祐, Itō Keisuke; 29 October 1943 – 5 December 2006) was a Japanese swimmer who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Seigō Tsuchida (Japanese: 土田正剛, romanized: Tsuchida Seigō; October 25, 1943 – April 16, 2026) was a Japanese…Seigō Tsuchida (Japanese: 土田正剛, romanized: Tsuchida Seigō; October 25, 1943 – April 16, 2026) was a Japanese politician. He served as the Mayor of Higashine, Yamagata Prefecture between 1998 and his death in 2026. Tsuchida was a member of the Yamagata Prefectural Assembly for four terms.
Ken Kagaya (加賀谷 健, Kagaya Ken; October 23, 1943 – April 24, 2014) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Ken Kagaya (加賀谷 健, Kagaya Ken; October 23, 1943 – April 24, 2014) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Tomakomai, Hokkaidō and high school graduate, he had served in the assembly of Chiba Prefecture for five terms from 1987 to 2007. He was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2007.
Misae Takeda (武田 美佐江, Takeda Misae; born 22 October 1943) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed in two events at the…Misae Takeda (武田 美佐江, Takeda Misae; born 22 October 1943) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed in two events at the 1968 Winter Olympics.
Nobukatsu Fujioka (藤岡 信勝, Fujioka Nobukatsu) (born 1943) is both a founder and vice president of the Japanese Society…Nobukatsu Fujioka (藤岡 信勝, Fujioka Nobukatsu) (born 1943) is both a founder and vice president of the Japanese Society for History Textbook Reform (新しい歴史教科書を作る会 atarashii rekishi kyōkasho wo tsukuru kai, abbreviated 作る会 Tsukurukai), now headed by Nishio Kanji). He was once a professor at the Tokyo University and later moved to Takushoku University. He is now retired. He was born in Iwamizawa, Hokkaido, and raised in Shibecha, Hokkaido. He is noted for his efforts at removing from Japanese textbooks accounts of wartime atrocities committed by Japan during the Second World War. He is considered to be a conservative and a nationalist, and he has been quoted as saying that he "stand(s) for a viewpoint of history with an emphasis on national interest," and that the study of Japanese history is "subject to the ultimate moral imperative of whether or not it serves to inculcate a sense of pride in being Japanese." He has also said that to "write [a history] based only on verified historical truths makes...[it] insipid and dry. I had no choice but to write from my own imagination to a great extent." In the early 1990s, Fujioka founded the Liberal View of History Study Group, which advocated "correcting history" by promoting a "positive view" of Japanese history and removing all references to what he referred to as "dark history." By 1995, he had created the Association for Advancement of Unbiased View of History (自由主義史観研究会, jiyūshugi shikan kenkyūkai) and the committee to Write New History Textbooks. Among Japan's top ten bestsellers in 1997 were two volumes edited by Fujioka, History The Textbooks Do Not Teach and Shameful Modern History. In late 1996, Fujioka and his followers joined with others to form the Japanese Society for History Textbook Reform (Tsukurukai, now headed by Nishio Kanji). This group authored The New History Textbook, which was one of eight junior high school history textbooks authorized by the Ministry of Education in April 2001. In December 2000, a draft textbook circulated by the Society and shown on national television elicited criticism from many Japanese historians and teachers. He is an assenter of the negationist film The Truth about Nanjing.
Hiroshi Minatoya (湊谷 弘, Minatoya Hiroshi; October 17, 1943 – June 15, 2016) was a Japanese judoka. He was born in…Hiroshi Minatoya (湊谷 弘, Minatoya Hiroshi; October 17, 1943 – June 15, 2016) was a Japanese judoka. He was born in Fukuno, Toyama and began judo at the age of 5. After graduating from Tenri University, Minatoya coached judo at the dojo wichi Anton Geesink managed in Netherlands. In 1969, Minatoya participated in the World Championships in Mexico City and won a gold medal, defending his world championship. Minatoya retired in 1972, when he was defeated by Toyokazu Nomura at the All-Japan Selected Judo Championships and missed the participation of the Olympic Games held in Munich. From 1967 to 2009, he also coached judo at Kanazawa Institute of Technology in Kanazawa, Ishikawa.
Yukio Jitsukawa (実川 幸夫, Jitsukawa Yukio; born 14 October 1943) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal…Yukio Jitsukawa (実川 幸夫, Jitsukawa Yukio; born 14 October 1943) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Narita, Chiba and graduate of Hosei University, he had served in the Chiba Prefectural Assembly from 1991 to 1993. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1993.
Tsutomu Tomita (Japanese: 冨田務, Hepburn: Tomita Tsutomu; born October 14, 1943) is the president of Fuji Speedway from…Tsutomu Tomita (Japanese: 冨田務, Hepburn: Tomita Tsutomu; born October 14, 1943) is the president of Fuji Speedway from 2007. He was the chairman of Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG, ex-Toyota Team Europe) and team principal of Toyota F1, the Formula One racing branch of Toyota, until June 2007.
Takaaki Yamazaki (山崎 孝明, Yamazaki Takaaki; 13 October 1943 – 12 April 2023) was a Japanese politician who was the mayor…Takaaki Yamazaki (山崎 孝明, Yamazaki Takaaki; 13 October 1943 – 12 April 2023) was a Japanese politician who was the mayor of Kōtō, Tokyo. He was also an advisor to the head of the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee.
Yasuo Nishiguchi (西口 泰夫, Nishiguchi Yasuo; born 9 October 1943) is a Japanese businessman and former CEO of Kyocera…Yasuo Nishiguchi (西口 泰夫, Nishiguchi Yasuo; born 9 October 1943) is a Japanese businessman and former CEO of Kyocera Corporation. Originally from Sakai city, Osaka Prefecture, he earned a master's degree from Osaka Kyoiku University in 1972. He began work at Kyocera in 1975. In September 2009, he received his PhD from the Graduate School of Policy and Management, Doshisha University. He is currently a visiting professor at the Graduate School of Business, Doshisha University and part-time lecturer at Kyoto University. He also runs his own business.
Yoshiro Okamoto (岡本 芳郎, Okamoto Yoshiro; born 5 October 1943) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Yoshiro Okamoto (岡本 芳郎, Okamoto Yoshiro; born 5 October 1943) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Tokushima, Tokushima, he graduated from the University of Tokyo in March 1967. He then joined the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which is now part of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. In June 1997 he also received a Ph.D. in agriculture while still in the ministry. He left the ministry in the following year to run for the House of Representatives in the 2000 election but lost. He ran again in 2003 and was elected for the first time.
Yoshihiro Kawano (born 4 October 1943) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in two events at the 1964 Winter…Yoshihiro Kawano (born 4 October 1943) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in two events at the 1964 Winter Olympics.
Yohji Yamamoto (山本 耀司, Yamamoto Yōji; born 3 October 1943) is a Japanese fashion designer based in Tokyo and Paris. He…Yohji Yamamoto (山本 耀司, Yamamoto Yōji; born 3 October 1943) is a Japanese fashion designer based in Tokyo and Paris. He is considered a master tailor, alongside those such as Madeleine Vionnet, and is best known for his avant-garde tailoring featuring Japanese design aesthetics. Yamamoto has won notable awards for his contributions to fashion, including the Chevalier/Officier/Commandeur of Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon, the Ordre national du Mérite, the Royal Designer for Industry and the Master of Design award by Fashion Group International.
Jinen Nagase (長勢 甚遠, Nagase Jin'en; born 3 October 1943) is a Japanese politician who formerly served as Minister of…Jinen Nagase (長勢 甚遠, Nagase Jin'en; born 3 October 1943) is a Japanese politician who formerly served as Minister of Justice in the cabinet of Shinzō Abe. He was born in Toyama and obtained his LL.B. from the University of Tokyo. After graduation, he worked in the Ministry of Labour. He resigned from this position in 1988 and was elected to the Diet of Japan in 1990. He served as Parliamentary Vice Minister of Health and Welfare under Tomiichi Murayama, as deputy director of the Liberal Democratic Party, as Parliamentary Vice Minister of Labour under Keizō Obuchi and Yoshirō Mori, as Senior Vice Minister of Justice in the second Mori cabinet and as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary under Jun'ichirō Koizumi. He was appointed Minister of Justice on 26 September 2006. In 2012, he told lobbyists “The people’s sovereignty, basic human rights, and pacifism ― these three things date to the postwar regime imposed by MacArthur on Japan, therefore we have to get rid of them to make the constitution our own!”