is a Japanese diplomat. He has been serving as

Japanese Ambassador to the United States The ambassador of Japan to the United States has existed since 1860, interrupted by disagreements and wars during World War II. Shigeo Yamada is the current Japanese ambassador to the United States, having been appointed on October 24, 2023. Sp ...

since 2023.

Early life and education

Yamada was born in

Tokyo Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...

on July 17, 1964. While studying law at

Keio University , abbreviated as or , is a private university, private research university located in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It was originally established as a school for Rangaku, Western studies in 1858 in Edo. It was granted university status in 1920, becomi ...

, he passed the foreign service exam and joined the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs In many countries, the ministry of foreign affairs (abbreviated as MFA or MOFA) is the highest government department exclusively or primarily responsible for the state's foreign policy and relations, diplomacy, bilateral, and multilateral r ...

in 1986. He graduated from Keio University in 1987 with B.A. in Law. In 1987, he was sent to further his education at

Carleton College Carleton College ( ) is a Private college, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1866, the main campus is between Northfield and the approximately Carleton ...

, where he graduated in 1989.

Career

Yamada's earlier diplomatic career included postings in

Washington Washington most commonly refers to: * George Washington (1732–1799), the first president of the United States * Washington (state), a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A ...

, London and Beijing. From 2012 to 2015 he served as minister for political affairs at the Embassy of Japan in Washington. After returning to Japan he served as Deputy Director-General for North American Affairs Bureau. In 2016, he was seconded to the National Security Secretariat under Prime Minister Abe, where he was the main point of contact with President Trump's national security council. In 2019, he was appointed Deputy Minister for Foreign Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was a confidant of

Toshimitsu Motegi is a Japanese politician who served as the Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party from 2021 to 2024. He has previously served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2019 to 2021, and as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry from 20 ...

who was Foreign Minister from 2019 to 2021. In 2021 Yamada was appointed Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs. He played an instrumental role in making Prime Minister

Fumio Kishida Fumio Kishida (born 29 July 1957) is a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan and President of the Liberal Democratic Party ( LDP) from 2021 to 2024. He has been a member of the House of Representatives in the National Diet ...

's surprise visit to Ukraine in March 2023 possible. He was also Political Director during Japan’s presidency of G7 in charge of preparations on strategic and diplomatic agenda for G7 Nagano-Karuizawa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as well as G7 Hiroshima Summit. After being appointed to be Japanese Ambassador to the United States in October 2023, he took the position in December 2023. He was reportedly instructed to make connections with the campaign of former President

Donald Trump Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he served as the 45 ...

in anticipation for his possible victory in the

2024 United States presidential election United States presidential election, Presidential elections were held in the United States on November 5, 2024. The Republican Party (United States), Republican Party's Ticket (election), ticket—Donald Trump, who was the 45th president of ...

. On 10 April 2024, Yamada was among the guests invited to the

state dinner A state banquet is an official banquet hosted by the head of state in their official residence for another head of state, or sometimes head of government, and other guests. Usually as part of a state visit or diplomatic conference, it is held ...

hosted by

U.S. President The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president directs the Federal government of the United States#Executive branch, executive branch of the Federal government of t ...

Joe Biden Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. (born November 20, 1942) is an American politician who was the 46th president of the United States from 2021 to 2025. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice p ...

in honor of

Prime Minister A prime minister or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. A prime minister is not the head of state, but r ...

at the

White House The White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest (Washington, D.C.), NW in Washington, D.C., it has served as the residence of every U.S. president ...

.White House Releases State Dinner Guest List

, press release of 10 April 2024.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Yamada, Shigeo People from Tokyo Living people 1964 births Ambassadors of Japan to the United States Keio University alumni Carleton College alumni 21st-century Japanese diplomats