Kōichirō Asakai

Asakai studied banking and graduated from Hitotsubashi University in 1929, before joining the Foreign Ministry.

[1]: 199  He became an attaché in the Japanese mission in London, and was posted to Nanjing before returning to the Foreign Ministry.

[2][1]: 199  During this time, he attended meetings of the Allied Council for Japan as an "observer" and the sole diplomat.

[1]: 199  In August 1951, he was appointed the first head of the Japanese Government Overseas Agency in London.

[1]: 200  He was assisted in his work by the Japan Society of London, which had been set up two years prior.