Hugh Cortazzi
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Sir Hugh Cortazzi GCMG |
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|---|---|
| British Ambassador to Japan | |
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In office 1980–1984 |
|
| Prime Minister | Margaret Thatcher |
| Preceded by | Sir Michael Wilford |
| Succeeded by | Sir Sydney Giffard |
| Deputy Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs | |
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In office 1975–1980 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 May 1924 |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Diplomat, businessman, academic |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1943–1947 |
| Rank | Flying Officer |
Sir Arthur Henry Hugh Cortazzi, GCMG (born 2 May 1924) is a British diplomat. Also known as Hugh Cortazzi, he is also a distinguished international businessman, academic, author and prominent Japanologist. He was Ambassador from the United Kingdom to Japan (1980–84), President of the Asiatic Society of Japan (1982–1983) and Chairman of the Japan Society of London (1985–95).
In 1998 Cortazzi published his autobiography, Japan and Back, and Places Elsewhere. Cortazzi was educated at Sedbergh School, St Andrews and London universities. He served in the Royal Air Force from 1943 to 1947. He began in the RAF as an Aircraftman 2nd Class and took a six-month crash course in Japanese, taught by the School of Oriental and African Studies, at that time based at Dulwich College. Cortazzi was granted a wartime commission in the rank of Pilot Officer in June 1945. He was promoted to Flying Officer in December 1945, and left the service in 1947, after which he joined the Foreign Office.
After the War, the British Foreign Office posted Cortazzi to Singapore (1950–1951) and to Tokyo, (1951–1954). After returning to Whitehall (1954–1958), he was posted to Bonn (1958–1960). Another stint in Tokyo (1961–1965) preceded his return to London (1965–1966). Another posting in Tokyo (1966–1970) was followed by a different kind of opportunity at the Royal College of Defence Studies (1971–1972), after which he was posted to Washington, D.C. (1972–1975).
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