Date of birth: Nov. 28, 1967

Party: Democratic Party of Japan

Electoral district: Upper House; Tokyo (second term)

Shooting to fame as a politician after her fierce battles with bureaucrats in the "shiwake" budget-screening sessions last year, Renho was named state minister in charge of government revitalization in June when Prime Minister Naoto Kan took office. She was the youngest member of that Cabinet.

Born to a Taiwanese father and Japanese mother, Renho, who only goes by one name, held dual citizenship until age 18 before choosing Japanese nationality.

She debuted as a "campaign girl" in 1988 while a student at Aoyama Gakuin University, where she majored in law. After hosting several TV variety shows, she began a career as a newscaster in 1993.