John Peters is a diplomat with the Commercial Service of the International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC). As Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the American Embassy in Tokyo, Mr. Peters and his Commercial Service team in four Japanese cities work to promote U.S. trade and investment relations with Japan, the world's third largest economy, fourth largest U.S. export market, and second largest investor in America.

Prior to Tokyo, Mr. Peters was Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the American Embassies in New Delhi, India (2003-2006), Seoul, Korea (1999-2003), and Moscow, Russia (1995-1999). Mr. Peters also served as Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the American Embassy in Tokyo (1990-1994), and as Commercial Consul at the American Consulate General in Osaka (1986-1990).

Mr. Peters holds the personal rank of Career Minister in the U.S. Senior Foreign Service. He is recipient of the Commerce Department Silver Medal for Leadership, the Department's second-highest honor. Mr. Peters is also a recipient of the Presidential Rank Award for meritorious service.

Before entering the USDOC, Mr. Peters managed consulting firms retained by government agencies, multinationals, and small-medium-sized businesses. Mr. Peters holds degrees in Japanese from San Francisco State University, in Business Administration from the University of Hawaii, and in Hotel Management from Paul Smiths College.