Donald Y. Yamamoto
U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia

Ambassador Donald Y. Yamamoto

Donald Yamamoto was sworn in as the U.S. Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on November 9, 2006.  Prior to his appointment, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of African Affairs from 2003 to 2006, where he was responsible for coordinating U.S. policy toward over 20 countries in east and central Africa.  He served as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Djibouti from 2000 to 2003 and was the Deputy Director for East African Affairs from 1998 to 2000.

Ambassador Yamamoto entered the Foreign Service in 1980.  Previous assignments include U.S. Embassy Beijing as staff aide to the Ambassador and Human Rights Officer during the Tiananmen Square demonstrations in 1989; Japan as Principal Officer of the Fukuoka Consulate; and Eritrea as Chargé d’Affaires at U.S. Embassy Asmara in the Horn of Africa.  He attended the National War College in 1996 for senior training and received a Congressional Fellowship in 1991.

Ambassador Yamamoto is a graduate of Columbia College and received a Masters Degree in International Affairs from Columbia University.  He has studied Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French.  During his Foreign Service career, he has received three individual Superior Honor awards and two group awards.

Donald Y. Yamamoto was born in Seattle, Washington and raised in New York City.  He is married with two children.