Date of publication: Jun 25, 2018

Harold Forsyth

Ambassador: Embassy of the Republic of Peru

Date of birth:

Hometown: Lima

Number of years in Japan (cumulative): 1 (as of June 2018)

Q1: What was your first encounter with Japan?

Living in Peru, a country with an important history of Japanese immigration that began 120 years ago, I grew up close to their culture. In 1967, the Japanese soccer team visited Lima and played a friendly game with our national team. It impressed me the way Peruvians applauded them and praised their correctness. This is easy to admire in the Japan of today.

Q2: Please state your motto in life and why you have chosen it.

Confucius said, “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I am a big follower of that principle and because of that I stopped working a long time ago.

Q3 : Over your career, what achievement are you the proudest of?

I’ve had the amazing opportunity to be ambassador of my country to the three greatest economies — the United States, China and now Japan. Getting concrete results out of these experiences that I have always combined with my activities as a journalist gives me a great personal satisfaction.

Q4 : What are your goals during your time in Japan, your current position or in life?

Considering that Peru was the first Latin American country and one of the first in the world to recognize Japan as a diplomatic partner in 1873, I just have to follow the path of my predecessors and keep transforming ideas into the solid realities and strong relations that our countries have had for the last 145 years.

Q5 : What wisdom, advice or tips can you give to people living and working in Japan?

For any foreigner living in Japan, especially coming from the Western world, my most important advice would be to understand the Japanese culture and learn the history of Japan.

Last updated: Jun 25, 2018