Message from Ambassador YOKOTA
2026/1/5
I am YOKOTA Kenji, and I arrived in Beirut in December 2025, having been appointed as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Lebanon. I am deeply honored to have been assigned to this beautiful Arab country, blessed with rich nature and adorned with diverse civilizations, arts, scholarship, and religions.
After joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, my first overseas posting was in Syria. I had the opportunity to learn Arabic in Syria for three years from 1988. Two years prior to that, in 1986, the Embassy of Japan in Lebanon was temporarily closed due to the deteriorating security situation, and its staff had evacuated to Syria. I had many opportunities to hear about Beirut's beautiful cityscape, which fueled my yearning, but travel to Lebanon was prohibited. Despite its geographical proximity, Lebanon remained a "distant country" for me, and I never had the chance to visit Beirut during my three years in Syria.
It is worth noting that, while the Embassy of Japan in Lebanon was reopened in 1995, the Embassy of Japan in Syria was temporarily closed in 2012, and its staff are currently working in Beirut. It truly makes one feel the changing times.
After concluding my assignment in Syria, I served in Jordan for four years from 1991. 1991 was the year the Madrid Middle East Peace Conference was held. Peace negotiations with Israel proceeded in separate negotiation tracks for Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine, and in 1994, a peace treaty was signed between Jordan and Israel. After completing a total of seven years of service in the Middle East, I returned to Japan in 1995. At that time, I had hoped that peace would soon be established on the other negotiation tracks as well, and that the region would achieve stability and prosperity.
Indeed, throughout the 1990s, there was a palpable dynamism in negotiations, and Japan prides itself on having actively engaged as a key player. High-level exchanges between Japan and Middle Eastern countries were also frequent and vibrant. As an interpreter, I had the privilege of attending meetings with dignitaries such as King Hussein of Jordan, President Assad of Syria, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, President Mubarak of Egypt, and President Arafat of the Palestinian Authority and Chairman of the PLO (all titles as of that time).
Now, my long-cherished wish to be posted to Lebanon has finally come true. Regrettably, even today, more than 30 years later, Lebanon still faces various challenges. Nevertheless, the development and prosperity of Lebanon, a nation where diverse values and cultures coexist, holds the potential to become a cornerstone for regional stability and prosperity.
Accordingly, with a view to promoting the development and prosperity of Lebanon and further strengthening the friendly and cooperative relations between Japan and Lebanon, I am determined to do my utmost, however modest my contribution may be.
I humbly ask for your warm support and cooperation.
January 2026
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Lebanon
YOKOTA Kenji
After joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, my first overseas posting was in Syria. I had the opportunity to learn Arabic in Syria for three years from 1988. Two years prior to that, in 1986, the Embassy of Japan in Lebanon was temporarily closed due to the deteriorating security situation, and its staff had evacuated to Syria. I had many opportunities to hear about Beirut's beautiful cityscape, which fueled my yearning, but travel to Lebanon was prohibited. Despite its geographical proximity, Lebanon remained a "distant country" for me, and I never had the chance to visit Beirut during my three years in Syria.
It is worth noting that, while the Embassy of Japan in Lebanon was reopened in 1995, the Embassy of Japan in Syria was temporarily closed in 2012, and its staff are currently working in Beirut. It truly makes one feel the changing times.
After concluding my assignment in Syria, I served in Jordan for four years from 1991. 1991 was the year the Madrid Middle East Peace Conference was held. Peace negotiations with Israel proceeded in separate negotiation tracks for Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine, and in 1994, a peace treaty was signed between Jordan and Israel. After completing a total of seven years of service in the Middle East, I returned to Japan in 1995. At that time, I had hoped that peace would soon be established on the other negotiation tracks as well, and that the region would achieve stability and prosperity.
Indeed, throughout the 1990s, there was a palpable dynamism in negotiations, and Japan prides itself on having actively engaged as a key player. High-level exchanges between Japan and Middle Eastern countries were also frequent and vibrant. As an interpreter, I had the privilege of attending meetings with dignitaries such as King Hussein of Jordan, President Assad of Syria, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, President Mubarak of Egypt, and President Arafat of the Palestinian Authority and Chairman of the PLO (all titles as of that time).
Now, my long-cherished wish to be posted to Lebanon has finally come true. Regrettably, even today, more than 30 years later, Lebanon still faces various challenges. Nevertheless, the development and prosperity of Lebanon, a nation where diverse values and cultures coexist, holds the potential to become a cornerstone for regional stability and prosperity.
Accordingly, with a view to promoting the development and prosperity of Lebanon and further strengthening the friendly and cooperative relations between Japan and Lebanon, I am determined to do my utmost, however modest my contribution may be.
I humbly ask for your warm support and cooperation.
January 2026
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Lebanon
YOKOTA Kenji