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New Advisor Appointed to D-POPS GROUP

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2023.06.02

D-POPS GROUP Co., Ltd., is pleased to welcome Mr. Ichiro Fujisaki (who was an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the United States, and is now Chairman of The America-Japan Society) as a new company advisor. Through his extensive experience and broad perspective, we eagerly anticipate his guidance in achieving our next significant growth phase.
 

Profile of Advisor Ichiro Fujisaki

Career Background

Left Keio University Faculty of Economics before graduating

1969: Joined Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1999: Director-General of the North American Affairs Bureau

2002: Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs (Economic Affairs)

2005: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Geneva

2008: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States of America

2010: Distinguished Professor at Keio University

2013: Distinguished Professor and International Strategy Advisor at Sophia University, Chairman of The America-Japan Society, Board Member of ITOCHU Corporation, Advisor to Hino Motors, Ltd.

2014: Board Member of Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, Member of the International Broadcast Program Council of NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)

2018: Chairman of the Nakasone Peace Institute

Current Positions

Chairman of The America-Japan Society
Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Kitakamakura Girls' School
Chairman of the International Education Center Supporters Association

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