Tea ceremony master to the U.N.

The Foreign Ministry on Monday appointed Sen Genshitsu, a prominent tea ceremony master, as goodwill ambassador to the United Nations in a bid to raise Japan's domestic and international profile.

Genshitsu, 82, will be tasked with introducing Japanese culture through the tea ceremony and various other interactions with U.N. member nations, the ministry said.

The appointment is also aimed at raising Japanese public interest in the activities of the U.N., it said.

Next year marks the 50th anniversary of Japan's joining the United Nations.

Genshitsu, who acts as president of the United Nations Association of Japan, is the 15th master of Ura Senke, a leading school of the tea ceremony.