Ueno Named Japan’s Ambassador to Indonesia

Tokyo, June 19 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government Friday decided to appoint Atsushi Ueno, 61, ambassador to Cambodia, as new ambassador to Indonesia, the post that had been vacant for more than six months. The post remained unfilled after former Ambassador to Indonesia Yasushi Masaki retired last November. The administration of former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba named Keiichi Ichikawa, as ambassador to Indonesia in October last year. But Ichikawa was named secretary-general of Japan’s National Security Secretariat under the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who succeeded Ishiba. Leaving key diplomatic posts, such as ambassador to Indonesia, vacant is unusual for Japan. “As the reason for the vacancy relates to diplomatic exchanges, I will refrain from answering (related questions),” Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said at a press conference Friday. “There was no significant impact during the vacancy,” he added. Indonesia has a population of about 280 million, the world’s fourth largest, and plays a leading role within members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It is also a member of the Group of 20 major economies. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visited Japan in March and held talks with Takaichi. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]