She started her career as a bureaucrat in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and quit in 2003. She was elected in April 2003, becoming the first female governor of Hokkaido and the fourth female governor in Japanese history.
In 2003, she commenced her career as a bureaucrat within the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry before resigning that year. That same month, she was elected as the first female governor of Hokkaido and became the fourth woman to hold this position in Japanese history.