The first British Ambassador to Japan was appointed in 1905. Prior to that the heads of the British mission held the titles of: Consul-General (CG), the most senior consular officer, appointed to protect British citizens overseas; and/or, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary (EEMP), a rank just below Ambassador. For a number of years following the Second World War the heads of mission were again not Ambassadors. Their formal titles are indicated in the list. In all other cases the names are those of Ambassadors, whose formal title is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

1859 - Sir Rutherford Alcock, CG

1865 - Sir Harry Smith Parkes, EEMP and CG, to the Shogun

1868 - The same, to the Emperor

1883 - Sir Francis R Plunkett, EEMP and CG

1888 - Hugh Fraser, EEMP and CG

1894 - Hon. P Le Poer Trench, EEMP

1895 - Sir Ernest M Satow, EEMP and CG

1900 - Sir Claude M MacDonald, EEMP

1905 - The same, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

1912 - Sir William Conygham Greene

1920 - Sir Charles N E Eliot

1926 - Sir John A C Tilley

1931 - Sir Francis O Lindley

1934 - Sir Robert Henry Clive

1937 - Sir Robert Leslie Craigie
(War declared by Britain on Japan, 8 December 1941)

1946 - Sir Alvary Douglas Frederick Gascoigne, Political Adviser

1951 - Sir Maberley Ester Dening, Political Representative

1952 - The same, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

1957 - Sir Daniel William Lascelles

1959 - Sir Oscar Charles Morland

1963 - Sir Francis Brian Anthony Rundall

1967 - Sir John Arthur Pilcher

1972 - Sir Fred Warner

1975 - Sir Michael Wilford

1980 - Sir Hugh Cortazzi

1984 - Sir Sydney Giffard

1986 - Sir John Whitehead

1992 - Sir John Boyd

1996 - Sir David John Wright

1999 - Sir Stephen John Gomersall

2004 - Sir Graham Holbrook Fry

2008 - Mr David Warren