Date of publication: May 14, 2018

Batjargal Dambadarjaa

Charge d'affaires ad interim
Embassy of Mongolia
tokyo.embassy.mn

Date of birth: June 18, 1966

Hometown: Ulaanbaatar

Number of years in Japan (cumulative): 14 (as of May 2018)

Q1: What was your first encounter with Japan?
In 1992, when I was 26 years old, I came to Japan to study economics and banking. Later on, I studied at the University of Tokyo for a short time and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Waseda University.
Q2: Please state your motto in life and why you have chosen it.
There are several Mongolian proverbs that I try to live by, including:
Do not start if afraid; once started, do not be afraid.
It is easier to catch an escaped horse than to take back an escaped word.
While the horse is strong, travel to see places.
If the mind is clean, fate is good.
Q3 : Over your career, what achievement are you the proudest of?
The economic partnership agreement (EPA) between Japan and Mongolia. I humbly participated in this from the early stages until it became an official document. The EPA came into force in June 2016 and there are parts that have not yet been fully implemented, but I have confidence and expect positive results.
Q4 : What are your goals during your time in Japan, your current position or in life?
Mongolia currently maintains a good relationship with all countries. Meanwhile, Northeast Asia is a politically difficult region and issues that need to be solved among countries are accumulating.
For Mongolia, there is a role that must be fulfilled in regional security as the only country that is friendly with all countries. Under these ideas, we are working on the Ulaanbaatar Dialogue.
Q5 : What wisdom, advice or tips can you give to people living and working in Japan?
How to use Japanese words is a difficult task. I had a hard time understanding the so-called real intention within ordinary sayings. I misunderstood the Japanese phrase, “I will consider it positively,” assuming a literal translation of, “Oh, I will do it” was correct. In Japan, watching people’s eyes is just as important as watching their mouths, to find out what the other party is really thinking about.
Last updated: May 14, 2018