Ambassador Yukio Takasu

In his personal capacity, Ambassador Yukio Takasu chairs “The Future of Democracy” study project (2018-2021) by the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE) on expanding support for democratic governance in Asia.

Amb. Takasu has a long career related to the United Nations activities in the Government of Japan, the United Nations, and as an academic. He has held several senior diplomatic positions, including Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations (2007-2010), Permanent Representative of Japan to International Organizations in Vienna (2001-2005), and Director-General of Multilateral Cooperation Department in Tokyo (2000-2001). In this capacity, Amb. Takasu assisted in hosting the G8 Okinawa Summit and he was instrumental in promoting Japan’s initiative for human security and launching the International Commission on Human Security.

At the United Nations, he held senior positions, including Assistant Secretary-General, Controller of the United Nations (1993-1997) and Under-Secretary-General for Management (2012-2017). Amb. Takasu has been appointed by UN Secretary-General as Special Advisor on Human Security successively since 2010. Amb. Takasu leads the United Nations advocacy efforts on mainstreaming human security globally, including advancing sustainable peace, the implementation of Agenda 2030, and Sustainable Development Goals.

Amb. Takasu also serves as Vice-Chairperson of Japan Committee for UNICEF and President of Human Security Forum, a Japanese Non-profit Organization. Amb. Takasu is a Visiting Professor of Ritsumeikan University and he has held academic positions at Harvard University, the University of Tokyo, and the Graduate University for Policy Studies.  Amb. Takasu was educated at the University of Tokyo (Faculty of Law) and Oxford University (Merton College). His publications include “SDGs and Japan: Human Security Index of Japan” (2019).