Itsunori Onodera

is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). He served as the Minister of Defense from 2012 to 2014 and again from 2017 to 2018.

Early life and education A native of Kesennuma, Miyagi, Onodera was born on May 5, 1960. He received a bachelor's degree from Tokyo University of Fisheries in 1983. He entered the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management in 1990. He worked at Tohoku Fukushi University as special lecturer, assistant professor and guest professor from April 1994 to January 1998. In October 2002, he became an associate professor at Tohoku Fukushi University. He was appointed senior vice-minister for foreign affairs in August 2007. Like Abe, the majority of his government, and many predecessors as defense ministers, Onodera is affiliated with the revisionist lobby group Nippon Kaigi. Onodera supports Japan having the ability to launch a first-strike attack against enemy bases.

Onodera has advocated for the installation of the Aegis Ashore missile defense system in Japan, travelling to proposed installation sites in Akita Prefecture and Yamaguchi Prefecture to win local consent.

Personal life Onodera is married and has two children.