Mr. Taniguchi was born in Shirakawa Village in 1943. After graduating from the Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, at Nihon University in 1966, he had joined the Gifu Prefectural Government Office as a veterinarian. Before becoming a mayor of the village in 1999, Mr. Taniguchi was responsible for agriculture, forestry, tourism, construction, and education of the village.

As a mayor, Mr. Taniguchi has initiated a slogan, "Japan's most beautiful village, Shirakawago" and striving to establish an energetic and environmental city.

Shirakawa Village
http://shirakawa-go.org/english/index.html