Toshio Kayama (加山 俊夫, Kayama Toshio; born 18 February 1945) is a Japanese politician and the former mayor of Sagamihara…Toshio Kayama (加山 俊夫, Kayama Toshio; born 18 February 1945) is a Japanese politician and the former mayor of Sagamihara a designated city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. He was first elected in 2007. He was reelected in 2011 and 2015 but lost his bid for a fourth term in 2019 to Kentaro Motomura.
Yoshikatsu Nakayama (中山 義活, Nakayama Yoshikatsu; born 13 February 1945 in Taitō, Tokyo) is a former Japanese politician…Yoshikatsu Nakayama (中山 義活, Nakayama Yoshikatsu; born 13 February 1945 in Taitō, Tokyo) is a former Japanese politician and member of the House of Representatives for Tokyo 2nd district. He previously served in the House as a member of the Democratic Party of Japan, and now is a member of the Democratic Party for the People.
Isao Kuwabara (Japanese: 桑原功 Kuwabara Isao; 4 February 1945 – 10 July 2023) was a Japanese politician. A member of the…Isao Kuwabara (Japanese: 桑原功 Kuwabara Isao; 4 February 1945 – 10 July 2023) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Democratic Party of Japan, he served in the House of Representatives from 2009 to 2012. Kuwabara died of liver cancer in Maebashi on 10 July 2023, at the age of 78.
Masashi Waki (脇 雅史, Waki Masashi; born February 2, 1945) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…Masashi Waki (脇 雅史, Waki Masashi; born February 2, 1945) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Suginami, Tokyo and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he worked the Ministry of Construction from 1967 until 1997. In 1998, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time.
Takeshi Hosaka (保坂 武, Hosaka Takeshi; born 1 February 1945) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Takeshi Hosaka (保坂 武, Hosaka Takeshi; born 1 February 1945) is a 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 Kai, Yamanashi and high school graduate, he was elected to the town assembly of the town of Ryūō, Shiga in 1977, serving for three terms, and then to the assembly of Yamanashi Prefecture in 1991, serving for, again, three terms. In April 2003, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time as an independent. He represented the 3rd District of Yamanashi Prefecture until 2008.
Masamitsu Oishi (大石 正光, Ōishi Masamitsu; born 28 January 1945) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party…Masamitsu Oishi (大石 正光, Ōishi Masamitsu; born 28 January 1945) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who served in both houses of the National Diet (national legislature). A native of Sendai, Miyagi, he graduated from Rikkyo University and attended Whitworth University in Washington, United States. After having served in the House of Representatives for five terms, he lost his seat in 1996 as a member of the New Frontier Party. He was re-elected in 2000 but lost the seat again in 2003. In 2004 he ran for the House of Councillors and was elected for the first time.
Tatsuo Kawabata (川端 達夫, Kawabata Tatsuo; born 24 January 1945) is a former Japanese politician from the Democratic…Tatsuo Kawabata (川端 達夫, Kawabata Tatsuo; born 24 January 1945) is a former Japanese politician from the Democratic Party. A native of Ōmihachiman, Shiga, he attended Kyoto University and received a master's degree from it. His elder brother is former mayor of Ōmihachiman Gohei Kawabata.
Shōgo Arai (荒井 正吾, Arai Shōgo; born 18 January 1945 in Yao, Osaka) is a Japanese politician and a former governor of…Shōgo Arai (荒井 正吾, Arai Shōgo; born 18 January 1945 in Yao, Osaka) is a Japanese politician and a former governor of Nara Prefecture in Japan.
Toshiko Hamayotsu (浜四津 敏子, Hamayotsu Toshiko; January 6, 1945 – November 29, 2020) was a Japanese politician of the New…Toshiko Hamayotsu (浜四津 敏子, Hamayotsu Toshiko; January 6, 1945 – November 29, 2020) was a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party who served as a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature) from 1992 to 2010.
Issei Nishikawa (西川 一誠, Nishikawa Issei; born 2 January 1945) is a Japanese politician and a former governor of Fukui…Issei Nishikawa (西川 一誠, Nishikawa Issei; born 2 January 1945) is a Japanese politician and a former governor of Fukui Prefecture in Japan. He was elected first in 2003. A native of Asahi, Fukui and graduate of Kyoto University with an LL.B. degree in 1968, he joined the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1968.
Toshitsugu Saito (斉藤 斗志二, Saitō Toshitsugu; 27 December 1944 – 3 October 2026) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Toshitsugu Saito (斉藤 斗志二, Saitō Toshitsugu; 27 December 1944 – 3 October 2026) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who was a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet from 1986 to 2009. A native of Fuji, Shizuoka and graduate of Sophia University, he attended Waseda University for graduate study and business school at the University of Washington in the United States. From 2001 to 2002 he was Director General of the Japan Defense Agency (now Minister of Defense). Saito died on 3 October 2026, at the age of 81.
Yoshio Urushibara (漆原 良夫, Urushibara Yoshio; born 18 November 1944) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party…Yoshio Urushibara (漆原 良夫, Urushibara Yoshio; born 18 November 1944) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Takuji Yanagimoto (柳本 卓治, Yanagimoto Takuji; born 11 November 1944) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Takuji Yanagimoto (柳本 卓治, Yanagimoto Takuji; born 11 November 1944) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a member of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Nobutaka Tsutsui (筒井 信隆, Tsutsui Nobutaka; 10 November 1944 – 1 October 2026) was a Japanese politician who served in…Nobutaka Tsutsui (筒井 信隆, Tsutsui Nobutaka; 10 November 1944 – 1 October 2026) was a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Democratic Party of Japan.
Nobuyuki Hatta (Japanese: 八田 信之, born 6 November 1944) is a Japanese weightlifter. He competed in the men's lightweight…Nobuyuki Hatta (Japanese: 八田 信之, born 6 November 1944) is a Japanese weightlifter. He competed in the men's lightweight event at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Goji Sakamoto (坂本 剛二, Sakamoto Gōji; 2 November 1944 – 4 November 2018) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Goji Sakamoto (坂本 剛二, Sakamoto Gōji; 2 November 1944 – 4 November 2018) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Iwaki, Fukushima and graduate of Chuo University, he had served in the city assembly of Iwaki since 1972 and in the assembly of Fukushima Prefecture for three terms since 1975. In 1986, he ran unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives. He ran again four years later and was elected for the first time. He died on 4 November 2018 at the age of 74 from heart failure.
Masaharu Udō (Japanese: 有働正治 Udō Masaharu; 28 October 1944 – 19 November 2025) was a Japanese politician. A member of…Masaharu Udō (Japanese: 有働正治 Udō Masaharu; 28 October 1944 – 19 November 2025) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Japanese Communist Party, he served in the House of Councillors from 1992 to 1998. Udō died on 19 November 2025, at the age of 81.
Mamoru Kobayashi (Japanese: 小林守 Kobayashi Mamoru; 26 October 1944 – 17 January 2023) was a Japanese politician. A…Mamoru Kobayashi (Japanese: 小林守 Kobayashi Mamoru; 26 October 1944 – 17 January 2023) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Japan Socialist Party, he served in the House of Representatives from 1990 to 2003. Kobayashi died in Kanuma on 17 January 2023, at the age of 78.
Nobutaka Machimura (町村 信孝, Machimura Nobutaka; 17 October 1944 – 1 June 2015) was a Japanese politician. He was a…Nobutaka Machimura (町村 信孝, Machimura Nobutaka; 17 October 1944 – 1 June 2015) was a Japanese politician. He was a member of the House of Representatives of Japan and a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. He was Chief Cabinet Secretary in the government of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda from 2007 to 2008 and twice Minister for Foreign Affairs, in the cabinets of Junichiro Koizumi and Shinzō Abe. He resigned as the Speaker of the House of Representatives on 21 April 2015 after suffering from a stroke.
Naoki Minezaki (峰崎 直樹, Minezaki Naoki; born 14 October 1944) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan…Naoki Minezaki (峰崎 直樹, Minezaki Naoki; born 14 October 1944) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan and a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kure, Hiroshima and graduate of Hitotsubashi University, he was elected for the first time in 1992.
Yoshiaki Harada (原田 義昭, Harada Yoshiaki; born 1 October 1944) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Yoshiaki Harada (原田 義昭, Harada Yoshiaki; born 1 October 1944) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). Harada represents the 2nd District of Kanagawa prefecture, which includes the cities of Kawasaki, Yokosuka, and Kamakura.
Satoshi Ninoyu (二之湯 智, Ninoyu Satoshi; born September 13, 1944) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Satoshi Ninoyu (二之湯 智, Ninoyu Satoshi; born September 13, 1944) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, and served as a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Akiyo Asaki (朝木明代, Asaki Akiyo; 1944–1995) was a Tokyo councilwoman whose death following allegations of petty theft -…Akiyo Asaki (朝木明代, Asaki Akiyo; 1944–1995) was a Tokyo councilwoman whose death following allegations of petty theft - which has been ruled suicide by the Tokyo police - has been linked to "mysterious" circumstances surrounding Soka Gakkai involvement. Asaki was notable in Tokyo for making comments critical of Soka Gakkai.
Kazuo Hirotomo (弘友 和夫, Hirotomo Kazuo; born August 17, 1944) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a…Kazuo Hirotomo (弘友 和夫, Hirotomo Kazuo; born August 17, 1944) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka and graduate of Chuo University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1993 after serving in the city assembly of Kitakyushu. In 1998, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time.
Tenzo Okumura (奥村 展三, Okumura Tenzō; born 10 August 1944) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Tenzo Okumura (奥村 展三, Okumura Tenzō; born 10 August 1944) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who served as a member of both the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kōsei Town (today's Konan City, Shiga Prefecture) and dropout of Ritsumeikan University, he was elected to the town assembly of Kōsei, Shiga (serving for one term), to the Shiga Prefectural Assembly in 1979 (serving for four terms) and to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1995.
Yoshitaka Murata (村田 吉隆, Murata Yoshitaka; born 30 July 1944) is a former Japanese politician who served as the…Yoshitaka Murata (村田 吉隆, Murata Yoshitaka; born 30 July 1944) is a former Japanese politician who served as the Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, the Minister of State for Disaster Management and the Minister of State for National Emergency Legislation in Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's Cabinet. Born in the city of Shizuoka, Murata graduated from Faculty of Law, Kyoto University and joined the Ministry of Finance in 1968. In 1990, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time and, since September 2004 he has been on the present posts.
Seiji Mataichi (又市 征治, Mataichi Seiji; 18 July 1944 – 18 September 2023) was a Japanese politician who served as a…Seiji Mataichi (又市 征治, Mataichi Seiji; 18 July 1944 – 18 September 2023) was a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Councillors. He was also the Chairman of the Social Democratic Party. Mataichi died on 18 September 2023, at the age of 79.
Isao Matsumiya is a former Japanese politician. He attended the University of Tokyo. Matsumiya served as a member of…Isao Matsumiya is a former Japanese politician. He attended the University of Tokyo. Matsumiya served as a member of the House of Representatives of Japan from 2000 to 2005 and again from 2009 to 2012. He was succeeded by Tomomi Inada for the 1st Fukui Prefecture office in 2005.
Genjirō Kaneko (金子 原二郎, Kaneko Genjirō; born 8 May 1944) is a Japanese politician and member of the Liberal Democratic…Genjirō Kaneko (金子 原二郎, Kaneko Genjirō; born 8 May 1944) is a Japanese politician and member of the Liberal Democratic Party. Kaneko served as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from October 2021 to August 2022. He has also represented the Nagasaki At-large district in the House of Councillors since his election in the July 2010 Councillors election. Kaneko is a native of Ikitsuki, Nagasaki and graduate of Keio University.
Tsuneyuki Mitamura (三田村 統之), known as Toji Mitamura (May 8, 1944 – September 16, 2026), was a Japanese politician. He…Tsuneyuki Mitamura (三田村 統之), known as Toji Mitamura (May 8, 1944 – September 16, 2026), was a Japanese politician. He served five terms as a member of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly from 1991 until 2008, including a tenure as Vice Speaker of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly from May 2005 to June 2006. Mitamura was then elected Mayor of the city of Yame, Fukuoka Prefecture, for four consecutive terms from November 16, 2008, until November 15, 2024. In 2026, Mitamura was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, 3rd Class, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, for his service. Mitamura died from complications of cirrhosis at a hospital in Yame city, on September 16, 2026, at the age of 82. He was survived by his wife, Ritsuko. His funeral was held at Koyeksha Ceremony Hall Kourin in Yame on September 19.
Toshiko Ono (小野登志子, Ono Toshiko; born 20 April 1944) is a Japanese politician who was the mayor of Izunokuni city for…Toshiko Ono (小野登志子, Ono Toshiko; born 20 April 1944) is a Japanese politician who was the mayor of Izunokuni city for two terms, serving from 2013 to 2021. Her previous offices include the member of Shizuoka Prefectural Assembly and the member of Nirayama Municipality, which was abolished in 2005. She was also the first female mayor in the history of Shizuoka Prefecture. She retired from her political life in 2021, after losing her re-appointment election of Izunokuni city's mayor with huge differences between the current mayor of the city, Masayuki Yamashita.
Yuya Niwa (丹羽 雄哉, Niwa Yūya; born 20 April 1944) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)…Yuya Niwa (丹羽 雄哉, Niwa Yūya; born 20 April 1944) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Niihari District, Ibaraki and graduate of Keio University he was elected for the first time in 1979 after working as a writer for Yomiuri Shimbun. Later, he served as the Minister of Health in 1992 and in 1999. He was defeated by Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)-backed candidate Hiroko Ōizumi (former Lieutenant Governor of Yamaguchi Prefecture) in the Japanese general election, 2009.
Kunishige Kamamoto (釜本 邦茂, Kamamoto Kunishige; 15 April 1944 – 10 August 2025) was a Japanese football player, manager…Kunishige Kamamoto (釜本 邦茂, Kamamoto Kunishige; 15 April 1944 – 10 August 2025) was a Japanese football player, manager, and politician. He won the bronze medal with the Japan national team at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with seven goals, and is the all-time leading goalscorer for Japan. Kamamoto served as the Vice-President of the Japan Football Association from July 1998 to July 2008. In 2005, he was inducted in the Japan Football Hall of Fame. He also served as a member of the House of Councillors between 1995 and 2001.
Ikuzo Sakurai (桜井 郁三, Sakurai Ikuzō; 10 April 1944 – 10 February 2013) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Ikuzo Sakurai (桜井 郁三, Sakurai Ikuzō; 10 April 1944 – 10 February 2013) was a 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 Fujisawa, Kanagawa and graduate of Nihon University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1996 after serving in the city assembly of Fujisawa for four terms. He lost his seat in 2000 but was re-elected three years later.
Hiroyuki Hosoda (細田 博之, Hosoda Hiroyuki; 5 April 1944 – 10 November 2023) was a Japanese politician who served as the…Hiroyuki Hosoda (細田 博之, Hosoda Hiroyuki; 5 April 1944 – 10 November 2023) was a Japanese politician who served as the speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan from November 2021 to October 2023. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1990, and served as Chief Cabinet Secretary in Junichiro Koizumi's cabinet from 2004 to 2005, and as Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party from 2008 to 2009.
Takeshi Hayashida (林田 彪, Hayashida Takeshi; born 1944) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Takeshi Hayashida (林田 彪, Hayashida Takeshi; born 1944) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Nagasu, Kumamoto and graduate of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology he joined the Ministry of Construction in 1967. Leaving the ministry, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1996. He represented the 2nd District of Kumamoto Prefecture.
Shinsuke Okuno (奥野 信亮, Okuno Shinsuke; born 5 March 1944) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Shinsuke Okuno (奥野 信亮, Okuno Shinsuke; born 5 March 1944) 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).
Tomiko Okazaki (岡崎 トミ子, Okazaki Tomiko; 16 February 1944 – 19 March 2017) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic…Tomiko Okazaki (岡崎 トミ子, Okazaki Tomiko; 16 February 1944 – 19 March 2017) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Hidenao Nakagawa (中川 秀直, Nakagawa Hidenao; born 2 February 1944) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal…Hidenao Nakagawa (中川 秀直, Nakagawa Hidenao; born 2 February 1944) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives of the Diet (parliament).
Makiko Tanaka (田中 眞紀子, Tanaka Makiko; born on 14 January 1944) is a Japanese politician. She is the daughter of former…Makiko Tanaka (田中 眞紀子, Tanaka Makiko; born on 14 January 1944) is a Japanese politician. She is the daughter of former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka and his official wife Hana.
Fukushiro Nukaga (Japanese: 額賀 福志郎, Hepburn: Nukaga Fukushirō; born 11 January 1944) is a Japanese politician who…Fukushiro Nukaga (Japanese: 額賀 福志郎, Hepburn: Nukaga Fukushirō; born 11 January 1944) is a Japanese politician who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2023 to 2026. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he has represented Ibaraki 2nd district in the House of Representatives since 1983. He was previously the Minister of Finance from 2007 to 2008, and served twice as Director-General of the Japan Defense Agency and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary.
Kenji Hirata (平田 健二, Hirata Kenji; born January 4, 1944) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a…Kenji Hirata (平田 健二, Hirata Kenji; born January 4, 1944) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Ōita, Ōita, he was elected for the first time in 1995 as a member of the New Frontier Party. In November 2011, he was elected as the President of the House of Councillors.
Kōki Kobayashi (小林 興起, Kobayashi Kōki) is a Japanese politician. He was a Member of the House of Representatives for…Kōki Kobayashi (小林 興起, Kobayashi Kōki) is a Japanese politician. He was a Member of the House of Representatives for Tokyo's 10th district from 1996 to 2005.
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.
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.
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).
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).
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.