Prof. Tanaka completed his master’s in Language and Cultural Studies from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. After working as a specialist at the Embassy of Japan in Iran for three years, he served as an expert analyst at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Intelligence and Analysis Services, undersecretary in the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan, and a committee member at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ). Recently, he worked as a vice-chair to NHK’s International Broadcast Programs Council and as a short-term, specialist advisor to the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry.