Born in Tokyo, Yoriko Kawaguchi received a B.A. from the University of Tokyo and an M. Phil in Economics from Yale University in 1972. She is currently a Professor at Meiji Institute for Global Affairs in Tokyo and on the Advisory Committee of Tokyo Foundation, a public policy think tank.
As a Japanese politician, Kawaguchi has held many key positions in the government, including Minister of the Environment, the first female Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Adviser to the Prime Minister (foreign affairs) amongst others. She was elected to the House of Councillors in 2005, serving two terms through 2013. Kawaguchi also served as a Minister at the Embassy of Japan to the U.S.
A former economist at the World Bank, Kawaguchi has served on the board of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders Foundation. She co-chaired an International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament. She is the recipient of several awards, including the ‘Aguila Azteca Medal’ from Mexico, 'Anniversary Medal' from St Petersburg during their 300th celebration, ‘Gran Cruz Extraordinaria’ from Paraguay and the ‘Star of Jerusalem’ from the Palestinian National Authority.