Graduated from the Faculty of Law, the University of Tokyo and obtained a Master’s Degree in International Development and Economics from Yale University. Joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1976. Has assumed numerous positions, including Representative of the Asia-Pacific Region of the Japan Overseas Development Corporation, Director of the Southeast Asia and Pacific Division of the Trade Policy Bureau, Vice Governor for International Affairs of Ehime Prefecture, Director-General of the Business Support Department of the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, Executive Managing Director of the Japan-China Economic Association, and President of the Japan- China Northeast Development Association. Assumed position of ERIA Executive Director in June 2008 and subsequently was appointed as ERIA’s first President in June 2015, and was reappointed as President of ERIA by the Governing Board for a third five-year term in June 2018. Visiting Professor of Waseda University (Japan), Darma Persada University (Indonesia), Honorary Professor of Guangxi University (China), and Fellow of Musashino Institute for Global Affairs, Musashino University (Japan).