Date of birth: April 30, 1962

Party: DPJ

Electoral district: Lower House; Kyoto No. 2 (sixth term)

Maehara, who has served as foreign minister and as leader of the DPJ, is considered an expert on diplomatic and defense policies.

Known as a hardliner on China and strong supporter of the Japan-U.S. security alliance, the hawkish Maehara headed the DPJ from September 2005 to April 2006. He stood down after accusing a Liberal Democratic Party executive of having ties with scandal-hit Livedoor Co., based on an email that later turned out to be fake.

As land minister in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, Maehara surprised the country in 2009 by announcing that the Yanba Dam project in Gunma Prefecture was being suspended. Work later resumed, though critics alleged it symbolized the DPJ's flip-flops on key policies.

A Kyoto native, Maehara graduated from Kyoto University's law school.