Shunichi Matsumoto
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese diplomat.
in 1942, and Japanese Ambassador to French Indochina from November 1944 to March 1945, shortly before the Japanese authorities took actual control of the area. On March 9, 1945, served French Governor-General Jean Decoux
the ultimatum demanding the surrender of the French forces to the Japanese authorities. Returned himself to Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Cabinet of Admiral Kantarō Suzuki
in 1945, at the time of surrender. In this position, he advocated the acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration.
He was the first Japanese Ambassador to the United Kingdom following the reestablishing of diplomatic relations after the Second World War, serving in that position in 1952-1955. In 1955-1963, he was a member of House of Representatives of Japan
. In 1956 took part in negotiations with the Soviet government on establishment of diplomatic relations. In 1967, he was given the Order of the Sacred Treasure
.
Diplomatic career
Matsumoto served as Japanese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Cabinet of General Hideki TōjōHideki Tōjō
Hideki Tōjō was a general of the Imperial Japanese Army , the leader of the Taisei Yokusankai, and the 40th Prime Minister of Japan during most of World War II, from 17 October 1941 to 22 July 1944...
in 1942, and Japanese Ambassador to French Indochina from November 1944 to March 1945, shortly before the Japanese authorities took actual control of the area. On March 9, 1945, served French Governor-General Jean Decoux
Jean Decoux
Jean Decoux was a French politician, who was the Governor-General of French Indochina from 1940 to 1945, representing the Vichy French government.-Biography:Decoux was born in Bordeaux...
the ultimatum demanding the surrender of the French forces to the Japanese authorities. Returned himself to Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Cabinet of Admiral Kantarō Suzuki
Kantaro Suzuki
Baron was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy, member and final leader of the Taisei Yokusankai and 42nd Prime Minister of Japan from 7 April-17 August 1945.-Early life:...
in 1945, at the time of surrender. In this position, he advocated the acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration.
He was the first Japanese Ambassador to the United Kingdom following the reestablishing of diplomatic relations after the Second World War, serving in that position in 1952-1955. In 1955-1963, he was a member of House of Representatives of Japan
House of Representatives of Japan
The is the lower house of the Diet of Japan. The House of Councillors of Japan is the upper house.The House of Representatives has 480 members, elected for a four-year term. Of these, 180 members are elected from 11 multi-member constituencies by a party-list system of proportional representation,...
. In 1956 took part in negotiations with the Soviet government on establishment of diplomatic relations. In 1967, he was given the Order of the Sacred Treasure
Order of the Sacred Treasure
The is a Japanese Order, established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji of Japan as the Order of Meiji. It is awarded in eight classes . It is generally awarded for long and/or meritorious service and considered to be the lowest of the Japanese orders of merit...
.
Works
- Mosukuwa ni Kakeru Niji [Rainbow over Moscow—The Secret Record of Restoring Japan-Soviet Relations] (Asahi Shimbunsha, 1966) - diplomatic memoirs about talks with Moscow 1955-1956
For further reading
- Kimie Hara, "The Åland Settlement as a Resolution Model for Asia-Pacific Regional Conflicts? Considering the "Nitobe Settlement" for the "Northern Territories" Problem as a Case Study" in New Initiatives for Solving the Northern Territories Issue between Japan and Russia: An Inspiration from the Åland Islands Conference, Mariehamn/Åland, 18–20 August 2006 http://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/issuesinsights_v07n04.pdf