Nakamura was the son of a Japanese immigrant from Matsusaka, Ise Province and a Palauan chieftain's daughter.

He was studying in his second year of primary school when the surrender of Japan ended World War II.

[1] Nakamura began his political career at the age of 28, becoming the youngest person to be elected to the Congress of Micronesia.

[6] He held the additional role of Minister of Administration from 1989 to 1992, when President Ngiratkel Etpison appointed other members of the cabinet.

[8] He did not run in the 2000 elections, but backed his vice-president Tommy Remengesau, who emerged victorious by a 53%-47% margin against senator Peter Sugiyama.