Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Law in 1983

Graduated from the Cornell University Law School (LL.M.) in 1990

Appointed as a legal apprentice in 1983

In my view, the essential value of the judiciary, which has been established through a long history, is that judges, who exercise independently their official authority from an impartial standpoint, solve disputes in a timely manner, through transparent proceedings. I will continue, as I have done so far, to engage in my duties, firmly keeping in mind these four basic elements, that is, impartial, independent, transparent, and timely.

"With shoes that fit my feet, I would be able to walk to anywhere I want to go."
This is the first sentence of the prologue to the book titled "Yourcenar's Shoes", written by SUGA Atsuko. I was impressed by the mindset to keep thinking about what you will need to achieve something.

Judges are expected to have sophisticated skills in writing judgments and decisions as they are required to impart their thoughts to readers accurately with the texts they write; thus, in a sense, they can be described as writers.
The writers who impress me emotionally with their texts include TANIZAKI Junichiro, MISHIMA Yukio, and SHIBUSAWA Tatsuhiko. Among currently active writers, OGAWA Yoko's texts are impressive to me.

Playing flute: I am fascinated by Bach, Schumann, and Debussy.
Seeing plays: I enjoy seeing plays of any genre, from Zeami and CHIKAMATSU Monzaemon to BETSUYAKU Minoru and Keralino Sandorovich.
Appreciating art: In the Kansai Region, where I was working just before, there were many attractive museums. When I go on trips, I almost always visit museums around the destinations.