Former Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan

Hiroya Masuda was born in Tokyo in 1951. Graduated from Faculty of Law, the University of Tokyo in 1977, joined the Ministry of Construction. Director, Traffic Enforcement Division, Traffic Department, Chiba Prefectural Police Headquarters in 1982. Director, Railway Traffic Division, Department of Planning, Ibaraki Prefectural Government 1986. Director for River Administration Policy Planning, General Affairs Division, River Bureau, Ministry of Construction in 1993. In 1944 after director for Construction Disputes Settlement, Construction Industry Division, Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Construction, retired from the Ministry of Construction. From 1994 to 2007 Governor of Iwate Prefecture. In 2007 the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications and Minister of State for Decentralization Reform (through 2008). In 2009 Advisor, Cabinet Secretariat (through September 2009). Now the Adviser of Nomura Research Institute, Ltd. and Professor, The University of Tokyo. He also serves as a member of Fiscal System Council, Committee on the taxation system, Social Security Council, Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy, Postal Privatization Committee.