NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF JAPAN PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT GENEVA

Junichi Ihara, the new Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations Office at Geneva, today presented his credentials to Michael Møller, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva.

Prior to his appointment to Geneva, Mr. Ihara had been serving as Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan since June 2013. From September 2011 to May 2013, he was Director-General of the North American Affairs Bureau. He served as Consul-General of Japan in Los Angeles from March 2008 to August 2011, and Minister at the Embassy of Japan in the United States from July 2004 to November 2006.

Mr. Ihara joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in April 1979 after graduating from the Faculty of Law, Kyoto University. He has served in a variety of positions in the Ministry, including as Deputy Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau from December 2006 to March 2008; Director of the Financial Affairs Division in the Minister’s Secretariat from July 2002 to February 2004; Director of the World Trade Organization Division, Economic Affairs Bureau from August 1999 to June 2002; Director of the First Southeast Asia Division at the Asian Affairs Bureau from July 1997 to July 1999; and Executive Assistant to the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs from August 1995 to June 1997.

Mr. Ihara was born on 18 April, 1956.


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CR16/001E