ICAS Bulletin 10/04/2000

The ICAS Bulletin

Institute for Corean-American Studies, Inc.

October 4, 2000

The Honourable KIYOTO IDO
Minister for Financial Affairs
Embassy of Japan
Washington, D. C.

to speak on

Economy of Japan: What Roles to Play in Asia?

The Honourable Kiyoto Ido, Minister for Financial Affairs, Embassy of Japan, will present his views at the ICAS Fall Symposium, Room 210 Cannon House Office Building, Capitol Hill, Washington, D. C. on October 13, 2000.

The major theme of the Symposium will be Asia's/Koreas' Challenges Ahead: economic, international relations and security issues.

Mr Ido joined the Ministry of Finance of Japan in 1973. Most of his career has been spent in the global arena, as a representative of Japan at various international meetings involving such financial institutions as the IMF, World Bank, OECD as well as many other organizations.

In the 1980's, Mr. Ido's focus was international banking and the securities business. In the early 80's, Mr. Ido served as Consul of Japan in Frankfurt, Germany. After returning to the Ministry of Finance, he was engaged in establishing offshore markets for Japan, Euro Yen CD's, financial liberalization and deregulation in the international financial businesses.

From 1989-1993, Mr. Ido was Deputy General Manager of the finance department in the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, D.C. After returning to Japan in 1993, his focus turned towards development issues and financial aid. He held various senior level positions at the Ministry of Finance during which his attention was directed to the Asian countries. When the currency crisis erupted, Mr. Ido as Deputy Vice Minister and Deputy Director General, was charged with visiting many Asian countries to promote and implement the "New Miyazawa Initiative" which provided the equivalent of 30 billion dollars to support the Asian economies.

Mr. Ido has authored and collaborated on several publications dealing with international finance. He currently serves as Minister for Financial Affairs at the Japanese Embassy in Washington, D.C. Mr. Ido is married to his wife, Keiko, a visiting scholar at Georgetown University and has a 13-year-old son, Kaoru.