In Tokyo, Ansari learned Japanese, married a Japanese woman, and immersed himself in East Asian commercial culture. His linguistic abilities and intercultural competence soon brought him into contact with the Iranian embassy. Through embassy work, he met Gholam Abbas Aram, Iran’s ambassador to Japan—a seasoned diplomat and future foreign minister. Aram recognized Ansari’s talents and recruited him as a translator, guide, and informal adviser for Iranian delegations visiting Japan.
Through Aram, Ansari gained something even more valuable than employment: access to the monarchy. When Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi visited Japan, Aram introduced Ansari to him. During that visit, Ansari—then serving as an economic attaché—briefed the Shah on Japanese industrial policy, foreign investment strategies, and the possibilities of Asian-Iranian economic cooperation. The Shah, increasingly interested in transforming Iran into an industrial power, was impressed.
Shortly after the royal visit, Ansari was recalled to Iran. This marked the true beginning of his ascent.
