Ahmed Mahloof has officially presented his credentials as the Maldives’ Ambassador to Japan to Emperor Naruhito during a ceremony held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Monday.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had appointed Mahloof to the position earlier this year, with the official letter of appointment presented to him on December 4. Parliament later approved the appointment unanimously with the support of all 60 lawmakers present during the sitting held on December 3.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emperor Naruhito welcomed Ambassador Mahloof during the ceremony and extended his best wishes for a successful diplomatic tenure.
During the event, Mahloof conveyed greetings and good wishes from President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to further strengthening its longstanding ties with Japan.
The Maldives and Japan established diplomatic relations on November 14, 1967. The two countries are set to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations next year.
The ambassadorial post in Japan became vacant following the passing of former Ambassador Hassan Sobir on July 28 last year.
Before assuming the diplomatic role, Mahloof served in several political positions, including as a Member of Parliament and later as Youth Minister during the MDP administration.
Mahloof first entered politics through the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) during former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s administration. He later served in the 17th and 18th People’s Majlis and eventually joined the MDP during the 2018 presidential transition period.
He departed from the MDP in September 2025 before officially joining the ruling PNC during a party gathering held on November 14, 2025.
