PEOPLE | interview Womanthismonth.com 18 March 2024 PROPELLING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS The appointment of Her Excellency Asako Okai as Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Bahrain marks a significant milestone in the enduring friendship between the two nations as they navigate a rapidly-evolving global landscape. Kristian Harrison spoke with her to discuss her commitment to fostering deeper ties, her key priorities and the opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation. Your Excellency, congratulations on being appointed as Ambassador of Japan to Bahrain. What has been your diplomatic career path so far? What personal experiences or values shape your approach to diplomacy? Through my 35-year career in the Japanese Foreign Service and at the United Nations, I gained an extensive track record in development, humanitarian, disaster management and peacebuilding work at both strategic and operational levels of bilateral and multilateral contexts. The last five years, I was serving as Director of Crisis Bureau at an Assistant Secretary General level in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Transformation, innovation and financing were the key elements of success. My services abroad as a Japanese diplomat include stints in the UK, Pakistan, Australia, New York as Permanent Mission to the UN, Sri Lanka, and as Consul General of Japan in Vancouver, Canada. Key posts held in Tokyo include Director for African Affairs and senior positions in the International Cooperation Bureau. My approach to diplomacy is driven by such a belief that the world should help each other and should compete in finding solutions that work for everyone and for the planet, not for your own selfish interests. What are your priorities and aspirations for your term as Ambassador? Fortunately, Bahrain and Japan are already enjoying a steadfast relationship, and we are on track to make it even stronger. In the rapidly changing, but also complexly troubled world, Bahrain and Japan can
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk0MTkxMQ==