On social media, he samples real ales and other local delights, with his signature Peruvian bear in tow. “48 times the Japanese ambassador made us proud to be British,” one typical headline said. Many contrast his social media appearances with the awkward or even nagging online presence of the UK’s own politicians. “Social media is free, so small countries like us still have a chance,” Lezhava said. “One wonders whether he is the ambassador of Japan to France or the ambassador of France to France,” one person said.

Source: Taipei Times March 01, 2026 17:16 UTC