New Russian ambassador arrives in Tokyo

Alexander Losyukov, the newly-appointed Russian Ambassador to Japan, has arrived in Tokyo.

Mr. Losyukov, who had previously been Russia's deputy foreign minister, was appointed ambassador to Japan March 4, 2004.

Alexander Losyukov was born in 1943. Mr. Losyukov, who knows English and Pushtu, has the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

Mr. Losyukov graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1968, subsequently working for the Soviet Foreign Ministry.

In 1990 was appointed deputy director of the Soviet Foreign Ministry's Pacific and South-East Asia department. In 1992 became director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Asia-Pacific department.

Served as Russia's ambassador to New Zealand, Tonga, Western Samoa and Cook Island over the 1992-1994 period. Served as Russia's ambassador to Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu and Nauru over the 1994-1997 period.

Served as director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's second Asian department over the 1997-1999 period. Headed the Russian Foreign ministry's general secretariat department over the 1999-2000 period, also serving as the Russian Foreign Ministry's secretary general. Was deputy foreign minister over the 2000-2004 period.

Married with two children.