Date of birth: Nov. 29, 1948

LDP faction: Nonaffiliated

Electoral district: Upper House; proportional representation (second term)

Reappointed as health, labor and welfare minister, Masuzoe will be tested to the full in handling the scandal of missing pension premium payment records and the unpopular health care system for people aged 75 or older.

Masuzoe made a name for himself with his tough approach to corrupt bureaucrats in the pension scandal, which gained a lot of media coverage and public support.

He is an advocate of amending the Constitution and is a member of the LDP's panel to draw up a new Constitution.

A former assistant professor at the University of Tokyo and frequent TV guest as a commentator on international politics, Masuzoe gained his first seat in the Diet in 2001, winning the most ballots — 1.58 million — in the national proportional representation section for the Upper House.