Ryūji Takeuchi

Ryuji Takeuchi's career spanned Japan's restoration of diplomatic relations after the occupation and the consolidation of its American alliance. Born in Beijing in 1903, he studied political science at Tokyo Imperial University before entering the Foreign Ministry. He headed Japan's overseas office in Washington in 1951, then became minister when the embassy reopened. He also represented Japan at the United Nations before ambassadorships to Belgium and West Germany. ¹

Takeuchi became administrative vice minister in 1960 and returned to Washington as ambassador in 1963. He participated in Prime Minister Eisaku Satō's January 1965 talks with President Lyndon Johnson, which addressed Okinawa and the Bonin Islands, the American security commitment, and the implications of China's nuclear test. Satō pressed for greater autonomy for the Ryukyuans while acknowledging the strategic importance of the American bases. ^{1, 2}

At his Washington farewell in May 1967, Takeuchi recalled the rebuilding of relations through the overseas office and embassy and described the negotiations he had conducted during his second assignment. The Japan–America Society honored him at a dinner attended by American officials and Representative Spark Matsunaga. After leaving the embassy he continued as an adviser to the Foreign Ministry. ^{1, 3}