SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS KENSAKU HOGEN OF JAPAN AS UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION
Press Release
SG/A/668
PI/1052
SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS KENSAKU HOGEN OF JAPAN AS UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION
19980203 Biographical Note Secretary-General Kofi Annan has appointed Kensaku Hogen of Japan as Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, effective 16 March. Ambassador Hogen is currently the Director-General of the Foreign Service Training Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan.In the course of his distinguished diplomatic and governmental career, Mr. Hogen has worked on a wide range of issues before the United Nations, as well as in public information areas. He directed the Foreign Press Division of the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo, as well as the Press and Information Section at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C.
Prior to his current assignment, Mr. Hogen was the Director-General of the Middle East and African Affairs Bureau from 1995 to 1996. In that capacity, he directed Japanese foreign policy regarding the Middle East, in particular the peace process in that region, and was instrumental in developing Japanese policy on Africa. Mr. Hogen served as Consul-General in Honolulu from 1991 to 1995, and in Boston from 1989 to 1991, actively engaging in public affairs activities of the Consulates-General.
As the Deputy Director-General of the United Nations Bureau in the Foreign Ministry from 1987 to 1989, Mr. Hogen was responsible for relations with the United Nations and formulated Japanese policy on a variety of issues before the Organization. He also oversaw development finance and overseas private investment policy in the Ministry of Finance from 1985 to 1987. Since he joined the Foreign Ministry in 1964, Mr. Hogen has also served in diplomatic posts in London, Tehran and Ottawa.
Mr. Hogen graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1964 and studied at Cambridge University from 1964 to 1966. He is fluent in English, French and German, and has knowledge of Italian.
Born on 2 August 1941, Mr. Hogen is married and has three daughters and one son.
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