Date of birth: Aug. 22, 1938

LDP faction: Nonaffiliated

Electoral district: Lower House; Tokyo No. 1 (ninth term)

Yosano, 70, came in a distant second to Taro Aso in the LDP's presidential race. Although he was a rival, Aso decided to retain him from the previous Cabinet because he is well-versed in economic and financial affairs.

Since winning a Lower House seat in 1976, Yosano has held several key posts, ranging from trade minister and education minister to chief Cabinet secretary and LDP policy chief.

However, since Aso favors higher public spending and tax cuts to stimulate the economy, Yosano, who has been pressing for a consumption tax hike, will probably have to suppress his own views.

The grandson of Tekkan and Akiko Yosano, both renowned poets in Japanese literary circles before the war, the minister enjoys photography and fishing.

*Appointed to double as Finance Minister and State Minister for Financial Services after the resignation of Shoichi Nakagawa February 17, 2009.
*Released as State Minister in charge of Economic and Fiscal Policy July 2.