Toshihiro Nikai

Toshihiro Nikai
二階 俊博

Nikai in 2006
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
In office
2008–2009
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda
Preceded by Akira Amari
Succeeded by Masayuki Naoshima
In office
2005–2006
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
Preceded by Shōichi Nakagawa
Succeeded by Akira Amari
Minister of Transport
In office
1999–2000
Prime Minister Keizō Obuchi
Preceded by Jirō Kawasaki
Succeeded by Hajime Morita
Personal details
Born (1939-02-17) February 17, 1939
Gobō, Wakayama, Japan
Political party Liberal Democratic Party
Alma mater Chuo University

Toshihiro Nikai (二階 俊博 Nikai Toshihiro, born February 17, 1939) is a Japanese politician. He was the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Nikai is currently serving in his eighth term in the Lower House representing Wakayama's Third District.[1]

Nikai was born in Wakayama Prefecture and attended Chuo University, graduating with a law degree in 1961. He initially worked as secretary for Saburo Endo, a Diet member from Shizuoka. After Endo's death, Nikai returned to Wakayama, where he won a seat on the prefectural assembly in 1975. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1983.[1]

He was a member of Noboru Takeshita's faction within the Liberal Democratic Party, but left the party in 1993 to join the Japan Renewal Party (Shinseitō). As a member of the JRP, he served as Vice-Minister of Transportation under Morihiro Hosokawa in 1999.[1]

He was later a member of the Liberal Party, Conservative Party, and New Conservative Party, independent parties in coalition with the LDP. As Secretary-General of the NCP and part of the governing coalition, he served as Minister of Transportation under Keizō Obuchi and Yoshirō Mori. After the NCP merged with the LDP in 2003, Nikai became an LDP member again, and was appointed Director of the General Affairs Bureau in 2004.[1]

In 2005, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi tapped Nikai to head the Diet committee in charge of the privatization of Japan Post. Following the general elections of that year, on October 31, Koizumi selected Nikai to head the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, traditionally one of the most highly valued cabinet portfolios.

Later, under Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Nikai was returned to the post of Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry on August 1, 2008.[2] Nikai is known to have strong ties with Chinese leaders and accompanied relief supplies to Sichuan after the earthquake there in June 2008.[1] In the Cabinet of Prime Minister Taro Aso, appointed on 24 September 2008, Nikai was retained as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.[3]

References

Political offices
Preceded by
Akira Amari
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan
2008 - 2009
Succeeded by
Masayuki Naoshima
Preceded by
Shōichi Nakagawa
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan
2005 - 2006
Succeeded by
Akira Amari
Preceded by
Jirō Kawasaki
Minister of Transport
1999 - 2000
Succeeded by
Hajime Morita
Preceded by
Jirō Kawasaki
Director-General of the Hokkaido Development Agency
1999 - 2000
Succeeded by
Hajime Morita
Party political offices
Preceded by
Yūya Niwa
Chairman of the LDP General Affairs Committee
2007 - 2008
Succeeded by
Takashi Sasagawa
Preceded by
Hiroyuki Hosoda
Chairman of the LDP Diet Affairs Committee
2006 - 2007
Succeeded by
Tadamori Ōshima
New title
New faction
Chairman of Atarashii Nami (Nikai faction)
2003 - 2009
merger with Shisuikai (Ibuki faction)
New political party Secretary-General of the New Conservative Party
2002 – 2003
merger with Liberal Democratic Party
Preceded by
Sadakazu Tanigaki
Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party
2016–
Succeeded by
Incumbent
House of Representatives of Japan
New district Representative for Wakayama's 3rd district
1996 –
Incumbent
Preceded by
Keijirō Shōji
Takashi Hayakawa
Hiroshi Ōshima
Representative for Wakayama's 2nd District (multi-member)
1983 – 1996
Served alongside: Minoru Noda, Riki Azuma, Kazuo Tamaki
District eliminated
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