Born in Saitama Prefecture and educated at the University of Tokyo, Murai was an official in the Ministry of Finance before entering politics.

Initially a science major, he switched to study international politics, and joined the Ministry of Finance after graduating in 2003.

Murai was involved in FTA negotiations and tax administration and was also seconded to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Murai left the ministry the following year and applied to become a candidate for the Liberal Democratic Party in the upcoming election.

[2] In 2021, Murai headed the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's panel on digital currencies.