◆Profile
Born in 1941 in Nagano Prefecture. After graduating from Waseda University, he studied under the composer Minoru ENDO and began his career as a lyricist. He has created many hit songs and received the Japan Record Awards' Long-Seller Award and Best Lyrics Award, as well as the Agency for Cultural Affairs Commissioner Award (2006) and Foreign Minister's Commendation (2015). He is a Director for The Matsuo Entertainment Development Foundation and was also the former President of the Japan Federation of Authors and Composers Associations. His major works include "SUKIMAKAZE" (Ryotaro SUGI), "KITAGUNINO HARU" (Masao SEN), "SHOUWA NAGAREUTA" (Shinichi MORI), "JINDOU" (Saburo KITAJIMA), "ICHIGO ICHIE" (Toshimi TAGAWA) and many others.
As a JASRAC Member, he served as a Councilor for two terms, as a Director for three terms, and as a Member of the Cultural Activities Committee, Copyright Trust Contract Revision Committee, Public Relations Committee, and Articles of Association Revision Committee. Elected Chairman of JASRAC on April 1, 2016 and re-elected on April 1, 2018.