Maeda was a native of Wakayama Prefecture, and a graduate of the Tokyo Hōgakuin (the predecessor to the law school of Chuo University).

In 1927, Prime Minister Tanaka Giichi picked Maeda as his Director-General of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau.

In 1939, Maeda was asked to resume his post as Railway Minister under the Hiranuma administration.

As with all other Japanese politicians, Maeda was forced to join the Taisei Yokusankai created by Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe in 1940, and served as the party's Chairman for Administrative Affairs.

During World War II, Maeda served as Minister of Transport and Communications, under the Koiso administration.