• 15 September 1962: Born in
Kamo in
Niigata Prefecture. • 1981: Graduated from
Sanjo High School. • 1987: Graduated from
Kyoto University Law Department. • 1987: Entered the
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. • 1994: Attended the
University of British Columbia as a visiting researcher. • 2003: Appointed Head of the
Gifu Prefecture Industrial Labor Bureau. • 2004: Elected Governor of
Niigata Prefecture. 2 days before taking office, the
Niigata Chūetsu earthquake occurs, overshadowing his first year in office. == External links ==