Shinichi Nishimiya (西宮 伸一, Nishimiya Shinichi, 1952 – 16 September 2012) was a Japanese diplomat. Nishimiya was appointed as Ambassador of Japan to the People's Republic of China in 2012. However, he died unexpectedly before traveling to China to present his credentials.[2]
Shinichi Nishimiya | |
|---|---|
| Japanese Ambassador to China | |
| In office September 2012 – 16 September 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Uichiro Niwa |
| Succeeded by | Masato Kitera |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1952 Japan |
| Died | 16 September 2012 Tokyo |
| Alma mater | University of Tokyo[1] |
Nishimiya studied in the United Kingdom.[2] He was considered one of the leading experts on United States within the Japanese Foreign Ministry.[2] He was well known in U.S. diplomatic and political circles, and was a contributor to programs at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City.[2]
He served at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing in 2005.[2] In 2007, Nishimiya became the head of the Foreign Ministry's North American Affairs Bureau.[2] He then served as the Japanese Consul-General in New York City before being named a deputy minister in 2010.[2]
Shinichi Nishimiya was appointed as Japan's Ambassador to China in 2012. He was designated to replace outgoing Ambassador Uichiro Niwa, a former chairman of Itochu.[2] Nishimiya's appointment came at a critical time in relations between China and Japan due to an escalation in tensions over the Senkaku Islands dispute and the ongoing 2012 China anti-Japanese demonstrations.[2]
Ambassador Nishimiya collapsed outside of his home shortly after his appointment. He died unexpectedly at a hospital in Tokyo on September 16, 2012, at the age of 60.[2] Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba held a press conference to acknowledge the loss of Nishimiya. Gemba noted that it will take time to find a capable replacement for Ambassador to China, especially during the ongoing Senkaku Islands dispute.[2]
References
edit- ^ "New Japan ambassador Shinichi Nishimiya dies before making it to China". 16 September 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Smith, Sheila A. (2012-09-17). "Ambassador Shinichi Nishimiya, 1952–2012". Council on Foreign Relations Asia Unbound. Retrieved 2012-09-19.