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Toshihiro Nikai in November 2006

Toshihiro Nikai (二階 俊博, Nikai Toshihiro ^?, born February 17, 1939) is a Japanese politician. He is currently the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Nikai is currently serving in his eighth term in the Lower House representing Wakayama's Third District.^[1]

Nikai was born in Wakayama Prefecture and attended Chuo University, graduating with a law degree in 1951. He initially worked as secretary for Saburo Endo, a Diet member from Shizuoka. After Endo's death, Nikai returned to Wakayama, where he won a seat on the prefectural assembly in 1975. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1983.^[1]

He was a member of Noboru Takeshita's faction within the Liberal Democratic Party, but left the party in 1993 to join the Japan Renewal Party (Shinseitō). As a member of the JRP, he served as Vice-Minister of Transportation under Morihiro Hosokawa in 1999.^[1]

He was later a member of the Liberal Party, Conservative Party, and New Conservative Party, independent parties in coalition with the LDP. As Secretary-General of the NCP and part of the governing coalition, he served as Minister of Transportation under Keizo Obuchi and Yoshiro Mori. After the NCP merged with the LDP in 2003, Nikai became an LDP member again, and was appointed Director of the General Affairs Bureau in 2004.^[1]

In 2005, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi tapped Nikai to head the Diet committee in charge of the privatization of Japan Post. Following the general elections of that year, on October 31, Koizumi selected Nikai to head the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, traditionally one of the most highly valued cabinet portfolios.

Later, under Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Nikai was returned to the post of Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry on August 1, 2008.^[2] Nikai is known to have strong ties with Chinese leaders and accompanied relief supplies to Sichuan after the earthquake there in June 2008.^[1] In the Cabinet of Prime Minister Taro Aso, appointed on 24 September 2008, Nikai was retained as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.^[3]

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