Kunihiko Saitō Explained

Kunihiko Saitō (Japanese: 斎藤 邦彦; 2 February 1935 – 4 July 2022)^[1] was a Japanese politician who served as ambassador to the United States.^[2]

He was ambassador to the United States from 1995 until 1999.^[3] He served as head of the Japan International Cooperation Agency until August 2001, when he was succeeded by Takao Kawakami.^[4] He was removed from his position due to a scandal involving ministry bureaucrats, alongside Vice Minister Yutaka Kawashima, Ambassador Shunji Yanai, and Ambassador Sadayuki Hayashi.^[5]

Notes and References

1. https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUE06AGV0W2A700C2000000/ 斉藤邦彦氏が死去　元駐米大使、元外務事務次官
2. Book: Gries . Peter Hays . China's New Nationalism: Pride, Politics, and Diplomacy . 2004 . University of California Press . 978-0-520-93194-7 . 84 . registration . 4 December 2019 . en.
3. News: Yanai to replace Saito as ambassador to U.S. . 3 December 2019 . The Japan Times . 31 August 1999.
4. News: Kawakami to replace JICA head Saito . 3 December 2019 . The Japan Times . 29 August 2001.
5. News: Tanaka gives in to Koizumi; U.S. envoy to be removed . 3 December 2019 . The Japan Times . 3 August 2001.