An anticipated promotion of the former Deputy Chief of Mission and Deputy Consul General of Japan in New York, Mr. Futoshi Matsumoto was formally granted an imperial audience with His Majesty Naruhito. The Emperor welcomed the diplomat at his Palace on September 15th to receive the Japanese Cabinet’s decision appointing him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Iraq.
Ambassador Matsumoto will leave Tokyo for Baghdad toward the latter half of October to assume his new post. Mr. Matsumoto remains far more enthusiastic to meet you still in Tokyo, rather than Baghdad – as he will be in Japan one week every three months during his mandate. However – restrictions to enter Japan are very much in place these days.
Good luck and Godspeed!