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Ad Blankestijn was born in the Netherlands and received his M.A. in Chinese languages and cultures (Japanese was his 2nd subject) with honors at Leiden University. During his studies, he spent one year at Nanjing University and, after graduating, 2 years on a Mombusho Scholarship in Japan, mostly at Kyoto University.

After teaching at the Sinological Institute of Leiden University, Ad joined the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. He was posted to the Netherlands Embassy in Tokyo as part of a team of Japanese and Dutch assigned with attracting Japanese companies to the Netherlands. In total, Ad has worked for 22 years in various positions in the NFIA, mostly in Tokyo. While working for the NFIA, Ad was involved as advisor in many major investments by well-known Japanese companies. His last functions were six years Embassy Counselor and Head of the NFIA Japan Office and after that two years Special Advisor to the NFIA Osaka Office in the Dutch Consulate-General.



Ad is fluent in Japanese on a near-native level. During almost 25 years in Japan, Ad has traveled widely and soaked up Japanese culture in all its aspects, ancient and modern. Ad has translated a Japanese novel, Chinese poetry and prose, as well as written reviews on Japanese literature for major newspapers. He writes a blog about Japanese culture, Japan Navigator.

Recent Activities
Since 2007 Ad is working part of his time as consultant for Japan Intercultural Consulting, an international training and consulting firm focused on Japanese business. In addition, he has passed the Ministry of Transport exams to become an officially certified guide and interpreter (with JNTO). Last year he also passed the Third Level of the Kyoto Kentei, the "Kyoto Tourist and Certification Test" of the Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry - a fun test of knowledge about Kyoto.

Ad is also active in the promotion of Japanese sake and food culture. In 2008, he first became official Sake Sommelier (Kikisake-shi) and later also Sake Instructor (Nihonshugaku-koshi), both certified with/member of the Sake Service Institute, Food & Beverage Specialists Organization).

Since January 2009, Ad is working as Managing Director Overseas Marketing & Sales for the Daishichi Sake Brewery in Nihonmatsu, Fukushima.