is a retired Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
A native of Yokohama, Kanagawa, Suzuki graduated from Waseda University.
Before his political career, he worked for 15 years as a reporter for the Mainichi Shimbun
Suzuki began his career in politics as a secretary for YÃ Âhei KÃ Âno, the current Lower House speaker.
He was elected for the first time in 1986 after an unsuccessful run in 1983, both as a member of the now-defunct party New Liberal Club.
Regarded as a close associate of Kono, Suzuki has been heavily involved in education and environment issues, including efforts to revise the Fundamental Law of Education under Shinzà  Abe.
Although he announced in October 2007 his intention to retire from politics at the end of this term, Suzuki was selected by Yasuo Fukuda on August 1, 2008, as the cabinet's new Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.