Akio Takahara is Distinguished Visiting Professor at Tokyo Woman’s Christian University and Emeritus Professor of The University of Tokyo. He specialises in contemporary Chinese politics and diplomacy. He received his DPhil in 1988 from Sussex University. 

Akio served as President of the Japan Association for Asian Studies, Secretary General of the New Japan-China Friendship 21^st Century Committee, Dean of the Graduate School of Public Policy at The University of Tokyo, and Director of the Japan International Cooperation Agency Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development. Akio currently serves also as Senior Adjunct Fellow and Councillor of the Japan Institute of International Affairs.