Shinichi Nishimiya

Shinichi Nishimiya (西宮 伸一, Nishimiya Shinichi, 1952 – 16 September 2012) was a Japanese diplomat. Nishimiya was appointed as Ambassador of Japan to the People's Republic of China in 2012. However, he died unexpectedly before traveling to China to present his credentials.[2]

Nishimiya studied in the United Kingdom.[2] He was considered one of the leading experts on United States within the Japanese Foreign Ministry.[2] He was well known in U.S. diplomatic and political circles, and was a contributor to programs at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City.[2]

He served at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing in 2005.[2] In 2007, Nishimiya became the head of the Foreign Ministry's North American Affairs Bureau.[2] He then served as the Japanese Consul-General in New York City before being named a deputy minister in 2010.[2]

Shinichi Nishimiya was appointed as Japan's Ambassador to China in 2012. He was designated to replace outgoing Ambassador Uichiro Niwa, a former chairman of Itochu.[2] Nishimiya's appointment came at a critical time in relations between China and Japan due to an escalation in tensions over the Senkaku Islands dispute and the ongoing 2012 China anti-Japanese demonstrations.[2]

Ambassador Nishimiya collapsed outside of his home shortly after his appointment. He died unexpectedly at a hospital in Tokyo on September 16, 2012, at the age of 60.[2] Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba held a press conference to acknowledge the loss of Nishimiya. Gemba noted that it will take time to find a capable replacement for Ambassador to China, especially during the ongoing Senkaku Islands dispute.[2]