Takashi (Thomas) Shinozuka
Takashi (Thomas) Shinozuka is a former diplomat who has served as Consul-General of Japan in Atlanta and Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Morocco.
He graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo before joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also studied at the French National School of Administration (École Nationale d’Administration). Shinozuka served in the Embassies of Japan in France and in Myanmar.
At the Ministry headquarters, he was in charge of Press Affairs, Western Europe and Cultural Affairs, before being appointed Director of the Second International Economic Affairs Division, in charge of the macro-economy and monetary affairs. He worked also in a prestigious think tank named National Institute for Research Advancement (NIRA) and the Cabinet Office, where he was in charge of some aspects of the Sino-Japanese relations.
From 2004 to 2015, he was posted in the Imperial Household Agency where he was Master of the Ceremonies, then Vice Grand Master of the Ceremonies, and oversaw the ceremonies in the Imperial Palace, as well as the relationship between the Japanese Imperial Family and foreign countries.
Takashi Shinozuka was appointed Consul-General of Japan in Atlanta in December 2015. The Consulate covered four states in the Southeast of the United States: Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina. Consul-General Shinozuka strived to develop economic and cultural ties between the region and Japan, and his tenure saw many Japanese companies opening or extended their facilities in these States. Consul-General Shinozuka received many commendations including from Governor Kay Ivey of Alabama. He was recognized Honorary Georgia Citizen in 2018 and awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of West Alabama. He was also deeply involved in local community life, including the Atlanta Rotary Club.
Takashi Shinozuka was then appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan in the Kingdom of Morocco in December 2019 and served until 2022. Despite all the constraints due to the COVID-19, Ambassador Shinozuka promoted friendly relations between both countries.
Takashi Shinozuka was awarded the Order of Ouissam Alaouite (Commander) from Morocco and the National Order of Merit (Ordre National du Mérite) (Officer) from France. He was recognized Paul Harris Fellow when he was a member of Rabat Chellah Rotary Club in Morocco.
Takashi Shinozuka is now Vice President of the Japan-Morocco Association and Senior Research Fellow at the Africa Society of Japan.
Takashi Shinozuka and his family attend Sekiguchi Catholic Church (St Mary Cathedral) in Tokyo.