Dr. Yaacov Cohen completed his doctorate in economics at the University of Vienna while employed by the Israeli Foreign Ministry. He has held various foreign assignments: ambassador to Spain, 1992-1995; to Japan and South Korea, 1985-1988; to Venezuela, 1981-1985; chargé d'affaires in Turkey, 1980-1981; minister (economy) at the Israeli embassy in Belgium and deputy head of Mission to the European Union in Brussels, 1972-1976. In Jerusalem: deputy economic director of the Foreign Ministry, 1988-1992; head of the foreign trade desk of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, 1976-1980;. Since 1995, Dr. Cohen has been senior lecturer in East Asian Studies at the Hebrew University.