Date of birth: January 24, 1942

Party: Democratic Party of Japan

Electoral district: Lower House; Yamagata No. 1 (11th term)

Known for his familiarity with agriculture policy, Kano also has a good reputation for his articulate speaking style.

Born in the city of Yamagata, the Gakushuin University graduate was first elected to the Diet in 1976 on the Liberal Democratic Party ticket. He served as agriculture minister in 1989 and director general of the Management and Coordination Agency in 1992.

Kano left the LDP in 1994 and joined Shinshinto the same year. In 1997, he ran for the party presidency.

When the DPJ was formed in 1998, Kano became deputy head, and has since served as its Diet affairs chief and chairman of the Constitution research council.

Kano has a wife, daughter and two sons, and enjoys fishing and "shogi."