Born in Kagoshima. In 1874, he went over to China under the Qing Dynasty in attendance on Toshimichi Okubo. In 1884, he became superintendent of the Tokyo Police. Later, he switched to the Home Ministry and held posts as vice-director of the Police and Public Safety Bureau, sanjikan (councilor), secretary of Shiga Prefecture and other posts. In 1896, he became director of the Police Bureau of Ministry Home Affairs. After serving as governor of Nara Prefecture, he became governor of Ibaraki Prefecture in 1903 and governor of Fukuoka Prefecture in 1906.