He was the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan (2006–2007), and was a member of the House of Representatives from 1980 to 2009.

In January 2007, he drew criticism for describing women as "birth-giving machines" and "baby making devices" in a speech on the falling birthrate of Japan.

[citation needed] He was the Minister of State and Chairman of the Financial Reconstruction Commission from December 1998 to October 1999.

[5] He was a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, belonging specifically to the Kōchikai (Koga faction).

Yanagisawa thereafter retired from politics and accepted a post as the president of Josai International University.