The Embassy
The Embassy of the Republic of Maldives in Japan started its operation on 26 December 2006. The formal opening of the Embassy was held on 10 May 2007 at a special ceremony held at Hotel New Otani in Tokyo. The Chief Guest of the Opening Ceremony was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan H. E. Mr. Taro Aso. H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Mohamed Jaleel, Minister of Trade and Economic Development and Mr. Rilwan Shareef, Deputy Minister of Finance and Treasury of the Maldives also attended the Opening Ceremony.
At its opening, the Embassy was headed by Mr. Ahmed Khaleel, Minister Counsellor as the Charge d’Affairs a.i.. The first Ambassador of the Maldives to Japan was H.E. Mr. Abdul Hameed Zakariyya. Ambassador Zakariyya, a veteran diplomat, arrived in Tokyo in February 2008 and presented his Letter of Credence to His Majesty the Emperor of Japan on 11 March 2008. Ambassador Zakariyya competed his term and returned to the Maldives in June 2009.
Ambassador Zakariyya was succeeded by H.E. Mr. Ahmed Khaleel. Ambassador Khaleel arrived in Tokyo on 2 December 2009 and presented his Letter of Credence to His Majesty the Emperor on 16 February 2010.
