The House | Meet Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki, Who Loves Pubs, Paddington And The Premier League
Hiroshi Suzuki tastes some ‘original recipe’ Irn-Bru in Glasgow in 2025 (PA Images/Alamy) 7 min read2 hr Diplomacy is having a lean period as wars rage on, but it has found a star in Hiroshi Suzuki. Japan’s ambassador to the UK tells Ben Gartside about his love of the UK, the power of social media and travels with his stuffed toy Honey, they say, catches more flies than vinegar. A marmalade-loving bear is certainly proving a more powerful diplomatic tool than the démarche. It is hard to avoid Hiroshi Suzuki online even if one wanted. The 64-year-old posts a steady stream of love letters to the UK, many featuring his stuffed toy Paddington. Britons aren’t easily praised – but there is something winning about Suzuki’s open-hearted commitment to the cause of sucking up. John Redwood, as Welsh secretary, was pilloried for his efforts at the national anthem – but when a Japanese ambassador gives it a good go, he’s a hero. So, is there guile behind the blarney? Meeting at his Kensington residence …
