Date of birth: April. 25, 1959

Party: Democratic Party of Japan

Electoral district: Lower House; Hyogo No. 11 (fourth term)

Matsumoto once worked at the now-defunct Industrial Bank of Japan, which merged with two other banks in 2000 to form Mizuho Financial Group.

He traces his roots to the first prime minister, Hirobumi Ito, who was assassinated by Ahn Jung Geun in 1909 after serving as the first Japanese resident general of Korea. Matsumoto's mother is Ito's granddaughter.

Born into a family of politicians and diplomats, Matsumoto's father, Juro, a member of the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party, served as Defense Agency chief in 1989.

After leaving the IBJ, the 51-year-old Lower House member won his seat for the first time in 2000 in Hyogo Prefecture's No. 11 district.

He is in his fourth term and was appointed deputy foreign minister last fall.

Known for his expertise in diplomatic and security issues, Matsumoto was appointed policy chief in 2005 when the Democratic Party of Japan was still in the opposition and headed by Maehara.

*Appointed to take over duties of Seiji Maehara March 9, 2011.