HIROHITO: (1901-1989) Emperor Showa of Japan 1926-89. D.S., as Emperor, in Japanese, two pages (bifolium), folio, Tokyo, 26th November 1971, in Japanese. The document takes the form of a diplomatic letter and states, in part, ´Having duly examined the Commission issued by Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland......under date of the fourth day of the ninth month in the year one thousand nine hundred and seventy-one, appointing Mr. Alexander Henry Baxter Hermann to be Consul-General of the United Kingdom to reside at Osaka, the Japanese Government recognizes him in that capacity and permits him to exercise all the rights and privileges appertaining to his office......Whereto, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of Japan, We do hereby attest; and in witness whereof We have caused the Seal of the Emperor to be affixed to these Presents, which We havd signed with Our own hand´. Signed by Hirohito in bold black ink to the head of the page opposite the main body of text, and alongside a large red ink seal, and countersigned by Eisaku Sato (1901-1975) Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan 1964-72, and Takeo Fukuda (1905-1995) Japanese politician who served as Minister for Foreign Affairs 1971-72, and later as Prime Minister of Japan 1976-78. Accompanied by the official English translation and an envelope. Some very light, minor age wear, VG

Alexander Henry Baxter Hermann was a British diplomat who served in a number of consular posts during a lengthy career, including appointments in Iran, Panama and Taiwan, and as British Consul-General at Osaka-Kobe from 1971-73.