Akira Chiba, 57, is the newly appointed consul general of Japan in Los Angeles. His arrival date has yet to be confirmed.
Chiba was born May 1959 in Tehran, Iran and graduated from University of Tokyo in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in law. He studied two years at Peking University and received a masters degree in Asian studies in 1988 from UC Berkeley.
Chiba entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in 1984. His previous postings include deputy director general, Secretariat, Science Council of Japan, Cabinet Office (2015); minister, deputy head of mission, Embassy of Japan, I.R. Iran (2013); and minister (congressional affairs), Embassy of Japan in the United States (2010).
Chiba was a lecturer at the University of Tokyo in 2005 and is the author of a number of major papers for academic publications.
He succeeds Harry Horinouchi, who is leaving Los Angeles this month.