Katsuji Debuchi

Katsuji Debuchi (出淵 勝次; 1878 – August 19, 1947) was a Japanese diplomat who served as ambassador to the United States.

Katsuji Debuchi

Diplomatic career

Debuchi served as a diplomat in China, where he was head of the Japanese Foreign Office division which dealt with Chinese affairs.^[1] He later served as vice minister of foreign affairs for Japan.^[2]

In 1928, Debuchi was appointed ambassador to the United States, succeeding Tsuneo Matsudaira.^[3] He was due to leave his position during 1931, but remained in the position following the Mukden Incident.^[1] As an ambassador, he was well liked in the United States.^[4]

In November 1933, Debuchi left his position as ambassador to the United States, apparently due to his failure to convince them not to oppose Japanese actions in Manchukuo (Manchuria).^[5] However, he remained part of the Japanese diplomatic mission afterwards, visiting Australia in 1935 as a goodwill ambassador.^[6]

Personal life

Katsuji Debuchi and his daughter Takako in 1929

He and his wife Hama Kikuchi^[7] had a son Masaru Debuchi^[3] and a daughter^[3] Takako Debuchi.^[7] His son studied at Princeton University.^[8] His daughter married Kōichirō Asakai, who served as ambassador to the United States.^[9]

He died on August 19, 1947, from intestinal cancer. He was a Catholic.^[10]