She graduated from Nikaido Gymnasium in 1921, after which she worked as a teacher at Kure High School for Girls [ja].

After resigning due to a dispute with the principal over exams, she became a reporter for Osaka Mainichi Shimbun [ja].

She married Etsuzo Yamashita and became manager of his Fuji Asbestos Industry company after he became ill. During World War II she was evacuated to the village of Bohata after the factory was destroyed.

In December 1948 Finance Minister Izumiyama Sanroku [ja] was forced to resign after attempting to kiss Yamashita and Toshiko Matsuo.

[4] Yamashita then joined the Kaishintō party and was elected back to the House of Representatives in 1952.