Mr. Minamikawa joined the Environment Agency (promoted to the Ministry of the Environment in 2000) in 1974. His previous posts include Director-General of Environmental Health Department, Director-General of Waste Management and Recycling Department, and Director-General of Nature Conservation Bureau. From September 2006 to June 2008, he was the Director-General of Global Environment Bureau, and he oversaw international negotiations on climate change as well as making policies for domestic GHG emission reduction and protection of the ozone layer. He also contributed to the promotion of international cooperation. He assumed the present position in July 2008.