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 began her career as a bureaucrat within the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry before leaving that year. She was chosen in April 2003 to become the first female governor of Hokkaido and the fourth woman to hold this position in Japanese history.