Japan

Kenichiro Sasae has been appointed to serve as ambassador of Japan to the United States, presenting his credentials to the State Department on Nov. 19, 2012.

Ambassador Sasae, who succeeds Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki, previously served vice minister (2010-12) and deputy minister (2008-10) of foreign affairs for Japan. He also served as director-general of the Asian and Oceania Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2005-08), director-general of the Economic Affairs Bureau (2002-05), and deputy director-general of the Foreign Policy Bureau (2001-02). In addition, he was the executive assistant to the prime minister for foreign affairs (2000-01) and the deputy director-general of the Asian Affairs Bureau (1999-2000). Ambassador Sasae, who joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1974, also held postings at the Japanese Embassy in the United States and in the United Kingdom, as well as at the Japanese Permanent Mission to the International Organizations in Geneva.