He served as Deputy Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs[1] from 1999 to 2001.

A renowned expert in the 1997 Asian financial crisis, his current research focuses on international monetary policy for which he advocates increased regional integration to prevent similar crises in the future.

His views have been published in some of the world's most influential media, such as The Economist.

[2] Ito was reportedly short-listed for the position of Governor of the Bank of Japan (BOJ) following Shinzo Abe's second election as Prime Minister of Japan (the position ultimately went to Haruhiko Kuroda).

[3] Ito is also an affiliated faculty member of the Weatherhead East Asian Institute at Columbia University.