Date of birth: May 31, 1964

Party: Democratic Party of Japan

Electoral district: Lower House; Saitama No. 5 (sixth term)

Edano is viewed as a leading DPJ administrative reform advocate. The Tochigi native was a key member of the reform panel last year that cut wasteful spending at government-related organizations.

Edano became DPJ secretary general last June after party don Ichiro Ozawa stepped down with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. His term as party No. 2 only lasted four months. Between February and June, he was administrative reform minister.

A law graduate of Tohoku University, Edano entered politics in 1993 in Japan New Party, then joined New Party Sakigake. He backed Kan as health minister when he exposed the HIV tainted-blood debacle in 1996 and recognized the state's culpability.

Sakigake was part of a ruling bloc including the LDP.

*Appointed to take over duties of Renho (State Minister in charge of Government Revitalization) June. 27, 2011.