Date of birth: Aug. 14, 1961

Party: Kokumin Shinto

Electoral district: Lower House; Okinawa No.1 (fourth term)

Shimoji takes over the postal minister portfolio from fellow party member Tadahiro Matsushita, who was found dead in his home last month apparently after committing suicide.

Reforming the postal service, which was privatized under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, is the top priority of Kokumin Shinto (People's New Party), the minor coalition partner of the DPJ. Noda has thus given the post to members of the party since the launch of the Democratic Party of Japan-led government.

Shimoji, a 51-year-old Okinawa native, is currently vice president of the party. He has served as the party's secretary general and Diet affairs chief.

After graduating from Chuogakuin University, he worked at a transportation firm and became its vice president.