Asako Okai

Asako Okai started her roles as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) assistant administrator, director for the UNDP Crisis Bureau, and United Nations Assistant Secretary-General in 2018.[1][2] She leads the corporate crisis-related work of UNDP. Asako Okai was also a former diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan.[3]

Asako Okai
岡井朝子
おかい あさこ
United Nations Assistant Secretary-General
Assumed office
June 6, 2018
Appointed byAntónio Guterres
Preceded byIzumi Nakamitsu
United Nations Development Programme Assistant Administrator and Director for Crisis Bureau
Assumed office
June 6, 2018
Appointed byAntónio Guterres
Preceded byIzumi Nakamitsu
Consul General of Japan in Canada
In office
September 2016 – June 2018
Appointed byFumio Kishida
Preceded bySeiji Okada
Succeeded byTakashi Hatori
Personal details
Born1966 (1966)
Tokyo
CitizenshipJapanJapanese
EducationHitotsubashi University
Emmanuel College of Cambridge University

Personal life

Asako Okai's personal life is characterized by a diverse background and early exposure to international experiences. She was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1966, and her early life was shaped by her father's profession as a reporter for the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper.[4] She attended school in Washington, DC from the fifth grade but returned to Japan in her third year of junior high school.[5]

She was married.[6]

Education

Upon her return to Japan from Washington, DC, she pursued her secondary education at Tokyo Gakugei University High School.[5]

She then graduated from Hitotsubashi University, where she obtained a degree in law in 1989. It is worth noting that during her time at Hitotsubashi University, she was an active participant in the Yasuo Sugihara Seminar, highlighting commitment to academic excellence and research.[7]

In 1992, Okai studied abroad at Emmanuel College, Cambridge University for two years. There, she pursued art history as an undergraduate field of study.[7]

Career

Japan government
Asako Okai and Taro Kono on July 27, 2018

Asako Okai entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held various positions throughout her career.[3] She worked in divisions related to culture, economic cooperation, policy planning, and international cooperation.[3] Some notable positions included deputy director of the Western Europe Division, First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Pakistan and deputy director of Australia Division, Director of the Policy Division in the Economic Cooperation Bureau, and Director of the Humanitarian Assistance Division.[1][3]

In 2010, she served as Minister Counselor (Political Affairs) at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations and was a Senior Policy Coordinator in the Office of the President of the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2011. In 2012, she continued her role as Minister Counselor (Political Affairs) at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations.[8]

In 2014, Okai became the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka and concurrently served in the Maldives. In 2016, she made history by becoming the first female Consul General of Japan in Canada, holding the position in Vancouver.[4]

United Nations

Asako Okai brought her experience in development, peacebuilding, and international cooperation to the United Nations. In 2018, she served as Minister at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations. Later, she took on roles as Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, Assistant Administrator and Deputy Director-General of the United Nations Development Programme.[7]

Okai also served as the second director of the Crisis Response Bureau of UNDP(former Crisis Response Unit), where she played a role in formulating cooperation plans with other agencies.[7]

References
  1. "Secretary-General Appoints Asako Okai of Japan Assistant Administrator, Director, United Nations Development Programme's Crisis Response Unit | UN Press". United Nations Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. 2018-06-06. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  2. "The Latest @ USIP: A New Framework for Global Development and Security". United States Institute of Peace. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  3. "略歴　岡井朝子" (PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan) (in Japanese).
  4. "岡井朝子在バンクーバー日本国総領事インタビュー その１ - Oops!うっぷす カナダ・バンクーバー情報誌". Oops!うっぷす　カナダ・バンクーバー情報誌 (in Japanese). 2017-06-11. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  5. "社会の諸課題を解決するトータルソリューション力の追求を | ピックアップ". 一橋大学 HQウェブマガジン (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  6. "Asako Okai". World Justice Project. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  7. "Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Crisis Bureau | United Nations Secretary-General". www.un.org. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  8. "日系女性企業家協会 20 周年記念講演会" (PDF). 日系女性企業家協会 (in Japanese). 2017-09-28. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
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