1. What connections did you have with the UK before you assumed your current position?

The UK was the first foreign country that I ever lived in. Back in 1973 I spent three months on a homestay in Folkestone attending an English language school there. I had an enormously good time there and through the experience I consolidated my determination to become a diplomat in the future. In the following year I managed to join the Foreign Service.

2. You were posted to London once before, between ¡Æ96 and ¡Æ99. How have things changed since then?

What has changed is that between 1996 and 1999 there was a government change from Prime Minister John Major¡Çs government to Prime Minister Tony Blair's, namely from the Conservatives to Labour. This time there was another government change, but it was the other way round. At that time I think there was a much more optimistic mood. The British economy was performing much better. Now things have changed drastically in terms of economic conditions. But what has not changed is the excellent relationship between the UK and Japan. Throughout these years we have been enjoying friendly ties and many still regard the UK as a model for political change that Japan should pursue. That was the case back in the late ¡Æ90s and even at this time of general economic difficulties we are closely monitoring what sort of reforms this coalition government will undertake and how successful they will be.

3. During your time as Japanese Ambassador to Ireland, you wrote a book called 'If you understand Ireland, you understand Japan'. Would you like to write a book about the UK also?

I wrote a small book on Ireland. In a way I was compelled to write one because there was little literature on Ireland and its people written in the Japanese language. I wanted the Japanese people to know Ireland better. In the case of the UK, however, there have been so many good books written already, so I'm not sure if I feel the same need. I hope I will have some exciting experience to give me an urge to write but at any rate I should not write while I'm still active as ambassador here. I should rather concentrate on my official duties.

4. With already existing 'cordial, forward looking relations in the political and economic field' and strong 'people to people' ties, what can you do to further reinforce Japan-UK relations?

I think both governments focus on economic diplomacy and, in fact, the very strong, robust economic links between the two countries provide the foundation for our bilateral relationship. I certainly would like to see such economic ties enhanced both in terms of quality and quantity in trade and investment. Moreover, at the people-to-people level, I would like to upgrade the already vigorous exchange between our two countries. We have been enjoying an excellent bilateral relationship but, as with a personal one, a state-to-state relationship requires constant care. It's like riding a bicycle. You cannot stop. Either you stop and fall off or you go forward, and I think both our countries are determined to advance. In that respect, the Embassy has a lot to do and we will do our job in cooperation with the many who share our vision.

5. Why is the UK-Japan relationship important to the world?

Neither Japan nor the UK is a superpower but we are of considerable size and resources. Both have stakes in global peace and both countries survive on trade and the free flow of people. We have a very similar world view. The voting pattern between us in the United Nations General Assembly is even closer than that between Japan and the United States or between the UK and the US. In this sense we are even closer to each other than to our common ally. What is critically important, however, is that both countries have the will to act for the cause of peace and prosperity. In other words we share the fundamental values of democracy and a shared will to maintain peace so there is a lot of room for us to act together to contribute to maintaining peace and promoting prosperity in the world. We can cooperate from Afghanistan to Africa, tackling issues ranging from poverty reduction to human rights protection.

6. How do you like to spend your free time in the UK?

That's difficult to answer because there are so many things to do in this country. Both the UK and Japan share a 'best mix' of history and modernity in terms of culture. In sports alone, football, rugby, golf, tennis, horse-racing and rowing all interest me, and here many of these are historic and of world-class quality. And there are performing arts, fine arts, fashion and many other exciting things. I don't know how to allocate my time properly.

7. I hear that you are a big football fan. Who's your favourite team?