One of the most prominent and outspoken foreign diplomats in Australia, Japanese ambassador Shingo Yamagami, has surprised Canberra’s foreign policy community by flagging his return to Tokyo just two years into his posting.
Yamagami, who became embroiled in an unusual public feud with his Chinese counterpart last month, told a gathering at the Japanese embassy in Canberra last week he had “bittersweet feelings” about the fact it was probably his last time addressing them for the Japanese Emperor’s birthday.
Shingo Yamagami, Japan’s ambassador to Australia, has developed a large media profile. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
Referring to the Australian delicacies served by his personal chef at the embassy, Yamagami said: “My time in Australia has disappeared faster than Chef Ogata’s vanilla slice, but I don’t think many will disagree that I did it my way.
“To be sure, just like Sinatra, ‘Regrets, I’ve had a few. But then again, too few to mention’.”
In remarks that had the feel of a valedictory address, Yamagami said he regretted detailing his Australian adventures in a weekly email newsletter because applicants for his job were already lining up “out the door and around the corner” at Japan’s Foreign Ministry.
“But you won’t escape me that easily,” he said.
“Thanks to our good friends from All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, there are more and more flights available each day and fewer reasons for you not to join me in Japan.”
The former foreign spy agency boss began his Canberra posting in February 2021 and has appeared regularly in the media providing hawkish views on China.
“I am no ordinary diplomat,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age in a recent interview. “I don’t like wishy-washy talk, I’m more of a straight-to-the-point guy.”
Chinese ambassador Xiao Qian used a January press conference at the Chinese embassy to accuse Yamagami of failing to do his job properly and working to prevent Australia from deepening ties with China. Yamagami previously attracted criticism for stridently campaigning against the Queensland government’s plans to increase coal royalties, including in speeches to mining industry forums.
Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian accused Yamagami of not doing his job properly. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
While Yamagami attracted many admirers, Allan Behm, director of the international and security affairs program at the Australia Institute, said: “He doesn’t seem to be constrained at all in getting involved in how Australia does its business, including in its relationships with other countries. I don’t think that’s the job of an ambassador.”
Some in Labor also raised eyebrows at his continuing close relationships with Coalition figures such as Scott Morrison and Tony Abbott.
In his December interview with The Herald and The Age Yamagami said: “Both my wife and I would like to stay here as long as possible. But it’s up to Tokyo.”
Yamagami regularly hosts politicians, journalists and academics for dinners at his residence in Canberra. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
Asked about rumours he would soon return to Japan, he said: “Maybe somebody would like to see me go home, but that tells me I’m making a difference.”
A spokeswoman for the Japanese embassy said Yamagami’s exact departure date had not been set, but it would be sometime in the next 12 months.
Yamagami regularly hosts politicians, journalists and academics for dinners at his residence in Canberra.
One leading foreign policy expert, who asked not to be named, said Yamagami was something of a “maverick” diplomat and it would not be surprising if his style proved too unorthodox for Tokyo.
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