Date of birth: May 31, 1954

Party: DPJ

Electoral district: Lower House; Yamanashi No. 1 (sixth term)

One of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's key allies, Ozawa has served in numerous key positions in the DPJ, including vice secretary general, economy, trade and industry minister in the shadow Cabinet and chairman of the national rallying and canvassing committee.

In the Diet he headed the environmental committee and was a member of the financial affairs committee.

First elected to the Lower House on the Japan New Party ticket in 1993, Ozawa joined the DPJ three years later. Before launching his political career, he worked at the Bank of Tokyo before heading the policymaking group for LDP Diet members for 10 years, specializing in economic policy.

A native of Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, Ozawa graduated with a law degree from the University of Tokyo.