Date of birth: Oct. 5, 1947

Party: Democratic Party of Japan

Electoral district: Lower House; Ibaraki No. 5 (seventh term)

Ohata was trade minister in the previous administration but was expected to be replaced after being cool to Japan joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. He replaces Sumio Mabuchi, who was dealt a censure motion in the Upper House.

Ohata, who openly backed Ichiro Ozawa in the DPJ presidential race last year, graduated from Tokyo City University and joined Hitachi Ltd. as an engineer. He made the first visit to Iraq by a DPJ Cabinet member earlier this month, where he discussed nuclear energy cooperation.

Ohata first won a seat in the Ibaraki Prefectural Assembly in 1986 and later a seat in the Lower House in 1990.

*Appointed to take over duties of Sumio Mabuchi Jan. 14, 2011.