Greetings from Ambassador Ishigami
2025/2/4
Hello! Assalaamu alaikum! My name is ISHIGAMI Rumiko. I arrived in Male’ on 7 January, 2025.
I presented the Letter of Credence to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on 4 February and officially started activities as Ambassador of Japan in the Republic of Maldives.
Since joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I have held overseas diplomatic positions in countries in North America, Europe and Africa, but this is my first time visiting and working in the Maldives. It is an honour and privilege to take on the weighty responsibility of Ambassador of Japan in Maldives, a very important country for Japan’s diplomacy.
Maldives is well-known for its gorgeous resorts. But I would like people in Japan to know about the Maldivian charm other than just resorts, and would also like Maldivians to know more about Japan. To that end I would like to strengthen our public relations efforts including our website and social media.
Next year will mark the 10th anniversary since establishment of the Embassy in Male’, and I am the 4th resident Ambassador. The establishment of diplomatic ties, however, dates back to 1967. The 60th year’s anniversary is coming up in just two years. I will start preparations for the important occasions and will try my best to further promote bilateral relations.
Japan and the Maldives have come to forge good friendly bilateral relations for long time and have cooperated on international issues. I am very pleased and proud to hear appreciations by Maldivians about Japan’s assistance to build schools nation-wide since 1960’s, the seawall built with Japan’s assistance saved Male’ city from tsunami from Indian Ocean Earthquake in 2004. Of course, Japan continues to be a development partner of the Maldives, implementing cooperation projects in various fields, carefully taking into account the needs of the country. Support to sustainable economy and social development, environment/climate resilience, disaster prevention, country’s good governance capacity building, are some priority areas.
I am pleased to note that Japanese visitors in tourism and economic activities to the Maldives are increasing. Our Embassy will continue to work hard to provide good services including safety and assistance to Japanese nationals.
Shukuriyaa,
Thank you!
Bio
Education:
1985 Bachelor of Law, Aoyama Gakuin University, Japan
1990 M.Phil (Law) University of Edinburgh
Career:
1986 Entered Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Japan
2008 Consul, Consulate General of Japan in New York
2011 First Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Bulgaria
2014 Consul and Deputy Head of Mission, Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh
2017 Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Namibia
2020 Private Secretary to Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, Imperial Household Agency, Japan
2023 Consul General, Consulate General of Japan in Hagatna (Guam)
2024 Appointed: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Maldives
I presented the Letter of Credence to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on 4 February and officially started activities as Ambassador of Japan in the Republic of Maldives.
Since joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I have held overseas diplomatic positions in countries in North America, Europe and Africa, but this is my first time visiting and working in the Maldives. It is an honour and privilege to take on the weighty responsibility of Ambassador of Japan in Maldives, a very important country for Japan’s diplomacy.
Maldives is well-known for its gorgeous resorts. But I would like people in Japan to know about the Maldivian charm other than just resorts, and would also like Maldivians to know more about Japan. To that end I would like to strengthen our public relations efforts including our website and social media.
Next year will mark the 10th anniversary since establishment of the Embassy in Male’, and I am the 4th resident Ambassador. The establishment of diplomatic ties, however, dates back to 1967. The 60th year’s anniversary is coming up in just two years. I will start preparations for the important occasions and will try my best to further promote bilateral relations.
Japan and the Maldives have come to forge good friendly bilateral relations for long time and have cooperated on international issues. I am very pleased and proud to hear appreciations by Maldivians about Japan’s assistance to build schools nation-wide since 1960’s, the seawall built with Japan’s assistance saved Male’ city from tsunami from Indian Ocean Earthquake in 2004. Of course, Japan continues to be a development partner of the Maldives, implementing cooperation projects in various fields, carefully taking into account the needs of the country. Support to sustainable economy and social development, environment/climate resilience, disaster prevention, country’s good governance capacity building, are some priority areas.
I am pleased to note that Japanese visitors in tourism and economic activities to the Maldives are increasing. Our Embassy will continue to work hard to provide good services including safety and assistance to Japanese nationals.
Shukuriyaa,
Thank you!
ISHIGAMI Rumiko, Ambassador
Bio
Education:
1985 Bachelor of Law, Aoyama Gakuin University, Japan
1990 M.Phil (Law) University of Edinburgh
Career:
1986 Entered Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Japan
2008 Consul, Consulate General of Japan in New York
2011 First Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Bulgaria
2014 Consul and Deputy Head of Mission, Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh
2017 Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Namibia
2020 Private Secretary to Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, Imperial Household Agency, Japan
2023 Consul General, Consulate General of Japan in Hagatna (Guam)
2024 Appointed: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Maldives