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 Nagoya, Aichi and graduate of Aichi University of Education, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1990 after teaching at local public schools. In 1996, he lost re-election but was elected to House of Councillors for the first time in 1998.