East Asia Program Presents: Akira Chiba Minister for Congressional Affairs, Embassy of Japan

East Asia Program Presents: Akira Chiba Minister for Congressional Affairs, Embassy of Japan Japan in Asia: Wither and Why? The divided government and the Great East Japan Earthquake seem to have shoved Japan away from the forefront of ever changing Asia; it now seems eclipsed by the rise of China. But is it really so? Akira Chiba attempts to describe how true (or untrue) this is through historical insight with emphasis on Japan-China relations. Akira Chiba is currently the Minister for Congressional Affairs at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC. As Minister, he oversees relations between the Embassy and Capitol Hill, meeting with staff and Members of Congress to discuss American foreign policy affecting Japan-US relations, and raising awareness of Japanese affairs. Since entering the public service in 1984, he has served at the Japanese Embassy in the People’s Republic of China and the Permanent Mission of Japan in Geneva. He has also held a number of positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo, including Director of the International Press Division and Assistant Press Secretary. Before his current posting, Minister Chiba was seconded to the Immigration Bureau in the Ministry of Justice. He specializes in Chinese language and Japan-China relations, and has written a number of publications on the subject. Minister Chiba earned a B.A. from the University of Tokyo and an M.A. in Asian Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. Speaking: Akira Chiba Minister for Congressional Affairs Embassy of Japan Sponsor: Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs, Co-Sponsor East Asia Program, Co-Sponsor