[1] He was a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) until 2021, when he lost his seat.

After losing his seat in 1996, he ran unsuccessfully for the governorship of Fukui Prefecture in 1999.

He married Sanae Takaichi, a fellow member of the House of Representatives, in 2004.

[2] However, they rekindle their marriage in December 2021, and he adopted Takaichi's surname.

[3] His eldest son serves as a prefectural assembly member in Fukui.