Ryōzō Katō

Ryōzō Katō (加藤 良三, Katō Ryōzō, born March 13, 1941) is a Japanese diplomat and professional baseball executive.

Katō served as the Japanese Ambassador to the United States from 2001 to 2008. Prior to this ambassadorship, he held various positions within the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Director-General of the North American Affairs Bureau. His diplomatic career spanned numerous countries and involved complex negotiations on international trade, security, and political relations.

Following his retirement from diplomatic service, Katō became the Commissioner of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), a position he held from 2008 to 2011. As Commissioner, he oversaw the administration and operation of Japan's premier professional baseball league, dealing with issues such as rule changes, player contracts, and international relations in baseball. His tenure as Commissioner was sometimes marked by controversy, particularly regarding issues of player mobility and the league's response to economic challenges.

He is a graduate of the University of Tokyo, where he studied law.