Emi Nishihata is the Deputy Chief Representative for Europe and Deputy Head of the France Office at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), based in Paris. She has over 18 years of experience with JICA, working across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe in a range of leadership and program management roles. Her previous positions include Assistant Chief Secretary in the Office of the President at JICA HQ, Senior Deputy Director for Southeast Asia, Deputy Director for Africa, and overseas postings in Ghana, Zambia, and Okinawa. Her work has spanned public policy, law and justice, regional cooperation, and international partnerships. In parallel, she is pursuing a PhD in International
Development at the University of Birmingham, focusing on EU democracy promotion, under the
supervision of Professors Jonathan Fisher and Niheer Dasandi. She holds master’s degrees from
the University of Tokyo and the University of Warwick, and a bachelor’s degree in international
relations from the University of Tokyo.