Ambassador Atsuko Nishimura

Ambassador Nishimura was appointed Ambassador in charge of Women’s issues and Special Advisor to the Foreign Minister of Japan in 2017. Prior to this appointment, she served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg　from 2014 to 2016 and as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for Women, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs from 2016 to 2017.

Ambassador Nishimura joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in 1979, and has held a range of positions in Tokyo and diplomatic postings overseas. Abroad, she served as Minister at the Embassy of Japan in Belgium from 2001 to 2004 and as Minister at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations from 1999 to 2001.

In Tokyo, she served as Director of Non-Proliferation Division from 1995 to 1997 and as Director of First African Affairs Division from 1997 to 1999. She also served as Administrative Vice President of the Japan Foundation from 2008 to 2012 and as Senior Councilor of JOGMEC: Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation from 2014 to 2016.