Yasushi Masaki, a Japanese national, took up his duties as Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD in 2025. His portfolio covers Trade and Agriculture, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Financial and Enterprise Affairs. He also serves as the OECD representative to the Financial Stability Board. Mr. Masaki oversees the Organisation’s work on the digital transformation and artificial intelligence, as well as its initiatives on infrastructure and the trade strategy. In addition, he supports the OECD’s efforts to strengthen engagement across the Asia-Pacific region.
Mr. Masaki joins the senior leadership team following more than 40 years of service in Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His career has included assignments in a number of key policy areas and overseas postings. In Japan, he has held senior positions across the Ministry, including as Director of the WTO Dispute Settlement Division, Director of the Economic and Social Treaties Division and the International Legal Affairs Division, and Director of the Overseas Establishments Division.
Mr. Masaki later served as Deputy Director-General of the Economic Affairs Bureau with responsibility for OECD affairs and for negotiations on several major Free Trade Agreements, including with Australia, China and Korea, as well as for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). His subsequent appointments included Deputy Assistant Minister in charge of relations with the Parliament and Director-General of the European Affairs Bureau.
From 2023 to 2025, Mr. Masaki served as Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia, having previously been Ambassador to the European Union. These roles followed earlier diplomatic postings in France, Iran and at UNESCO.
Mr. Masaki began his career in 1984 after studying at the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo and undertaking further study at the École Nationale d’Administration in France.