Chikage Ogi

Ogi, 71, is a former actress of the all-woman Takarazuka Revue theater troupe. Her real name is Hiroko Hayashi.

She has been elected to the Upper House five times, making her the longest-serving active Liberal-Democratic Party member in the upper chamber.

Ogi was a key member of the New Conservative Party before returning to the LDP last year when the NCP was absorbed by the LDP after suffering a crushing defeat in November's Lower House election.

Ogi was appointed construction minister under former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori in July 2000, becoming the first woman to hold a position that controlled much of the public-works budget.

She was appointed as the first land, infrastructure and transport minister in January 2001, when four government ministries and agencies, including the Construction Ministry, were reorganized into one ministry.

The Japan Times Weekly: Aug. 7, 2004
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