1976, Master's in Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology; 1984, Professional Engineer, Applied Science; 1985, doctorate in Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology. 1976, with Shimizu Corporation, a construction firm, involved in space laboratory development; 1986-89, Visiting Fellow, Princeton University, US; 1993, elected, Member, House of Representatives; 1999, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Science and Technology; 2004, Chairman, Committee on Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, HR; 2006, Chairman, Policy Research Council, New Komeito political party; since 2008, current position.