Date of birth: May 17, 1951

Party: Democratic Party of Japan

Electoral district: Lower House; Fukuoka No. 1 (seventh term)

Matsumoto is mostly known for his large annual income. He pulled in ¥86.16 million in 2009, which ranked him second among his Diet peers. He shot to the top with ¥843.66 million in 2008 after selling off properties inherited from his father.

A Fukuoka native, Matsumoto has focused on human rights issues since he was elected in 1990, promoting help for minority groups in Japan. His grandfather Jiichiro, also a politician, is known as father of the liberation movement for "buraku" outcasts.

Growing up in a family of politicians, Matsumoto joined the Social Democratic Party of Japan. In 1980 he became a secretary for his father, Eiichi, who was then an Upper House lawmaker. He also participated in his family's construction business.