Portrait of Taro Kono
Politician · organisation
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Taro Kono on Georgetown University

Alumnus and Speaker (strong)

TL;DR

Taro Kono is a proud alumnus of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and has returned to speak there on foreign policy.

Key Points

  • He graduated from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

  • As Foreign Minister, he returned to campus on September 28, 2018, to deliver the Lloyd George Lecture on Japanese foreign policy.

  • He credits a seminar taught by Madeleine Albright for helping him overcome his initial shyness and improve his English participation.

  • Kono is mentioned by Georgetown as an alumnus who has served in key Japanese government roles, including Foreign Minister and Defense Minister.

Summary

Taro Kono is an alumnus of Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS), having graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service in 1985. He credits his experiences at Georgetown, particularly his time as a student in a seminar taught by Madeleine Albright, for profoundly shaping his career, stating, “Every experience I had here made me who I am as a foreign minister.” Kono has returned to the university to engage with the community and share his perspectives on Japanese foreign policy. For instance, in September 2018, he delivered the Lloyd George Lecture, focusing on Japan's stance regarding China, Russia, and the Middle East.

The lasting influence of his time as a student, specifically Albright’s American Foreign Policy Process seminar, is a point he often references. Kono recalled having to overcome initial language barriers to participate actively in the rigorous discussions, which he stated helped him significantly. Furthermore, his history as a Georgetown student is recognized by the institution, noting his status as an alumnus who later served in significant cabinet roles for Japan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Taro Kono is an alumnus of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. His time there, particularly in a seminar led by Madeleine Albright, is cited as highly influential on his political career, according to a 2018 speech he gave on campus.

Yes, Taro Kono has returned to Georgetown University to speak to students and the community. For example, he delivered the Lloyd George Lecture in September 2018 to discuss the future of Japanese foreign policy.

Taro Kono stated that every experience he had at Georgetown shaped him into the foreign minister he became. He specifically mentioned the challenge of participating in English in a seminar, which he credited for helping him significantly overcome his initial difficulties.