Date of birth: July 14, 1953

Party: Democratic Party of Japan

Electoral district: Lower House; Mie No. 3 (seventh term)

Okada, reappointed as foreign minister, has been a main negotiator with the U.S. over the relocation of the Futenma air base, one of the key issues leading to Yukio Hatoyama's exit as prime minister.

As foreign minister, he has also looked into the secret nuclear pacts that allow U.S. ships and aircraft carrying nuclear weapons to enter Japanese territory. The previous LDP administration denied the pacts existed, but Okada's team determined otherwise.

The former Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry bureaucrat began his political career in the LDP in 1990 but left the party in 1993.

Since becoming a DPJ member in 1998, he has held key party posts, including president and secretary general.

He fought against Hatoyama for the presidency in 2009, but lost. He didn’t run in the latest presidential race.