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© KYODOTransportation secretary to represent U.S. at emperor's enthronement ceremony
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Melissa Shimosato
I guess Elaine Chao does not have to testify at the impeachment hearing so she is free.
vanityofvanities
It is OK. When his house is on fire, the person cannot travel.
Ex_Res
Good choice. A very fine member of the US administration.
quercetum
I can’t help but think that whoever made this call does not understand Japan. Don’t they have any East Asian specialist in the White House? You can’t send a Transportation Secretary to an emperor’s enthronement.
garymalmgren
Classy move Don, as usual.
Showing a deep understanding of the world around him.
gary
Ex_Res
I can’t help but think that whoever made this call does not understand Japan. Don’t they have any East Asian specialist in the White House? You can’t send a Transportation Secretary to an emperor’s enthronement.
Why not! She is member of the US Administration. As for her role (in which she does a excellent job), it is not really relevant.
I fail to see what people do not understand about Japan.
lincolnman
Other diplomatic schedules....yea, right. Given Mikey has now been drug into Ukraine-gate, I think this is similar to the situation when you're a suspect and the police say "Stay in the local area"....
Well, now we know there must be some shady payoff or underhand deal going on; likely with her relatives in China...
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/02/us/politics/elaine-chao-china.html
jeancolmar
Well, now you know what America's representative really think of the Japanese/
David Varnes
Let's see... the UK sent their Crown Prince (Charles) to Akihito's enthronement, and has announced he'll be attending again.
Over a dozen other monarchies send their King, Queen, or Crown royals.
The United States sends a minor appointed Cabinet official. Not even the Vice President.
Ex_Res
Let's see... the UK sent their Crown Prince (Charles) to Akihito's enthronement, and has announced he'll be attending again.
Over a dozen other monarchies send their King, Queen, or Crown royals.
The United States sends a minor appointed Cabinet official. Not even the Vice President.
The USA does not have a Monarchy. The USA cannot send a King or Queen or Crown Royal.
Incidentally, Elaine Chao has an extremely responsible position as Transport Secretary in the USA. It is not a low key position.
The Vice President as other schedules. (understandable in such an important position).
BertieWooster
Considering the actual power the "Emperor" of Japan has, it's not surprising they would send someone low on the totem pole. I wonder how Abe and his ultra right wing cronies view it though. Bit of a snub, isn't it?
Ex_Res
Incidentally, Elaine Chao has an extremely responsible position as Transport Secretary in the USA. It is not a low key position.
Nonsense..... if a VP is not available send the next high profile ranking figure or at least someone from Foreign Affairs ...not someone whose portfolio is Transport fgs.....guess the US administration figured that since she is Asian then its a " top choice"....gosh.
Well, it is stated above that she was born in Taiwan, so there is a good chance that she will be well conversed with Asian affairs.
As for it being Nonsense that Transport Secretary in the USA is a highly responsible role, I would ask the question "Can you do the job better".
In your opinion, who/what role, is the next high ranking figure after the VP in the USA?
lincolnman
Trump didn't get that memo....The Stable Genius thinks he's King....
Vice President? Secretary of State? Secretary of Defense? Commerce Secretary? Secretary of Energy?
He's been told by his lawyers to "stay home" - you're a suspect...
juminRhee
A head of state should be afforded another head of state of a foreign country. The emperor is the head of state of Japan; the US president is the head of state (and govt - a dangerous combo but besides the point). Next time Trump comes to Japan perhaps he can be greeted by the minister of fisheries.
juminRhee
Trump: if you are sending ms chao because she is Asian, you should know that not all Asians are the same.
Serrano
A Transportation secretary ....seriously??
Pence is busy. Chao is a cabinet secretary. That qualifies as high level gov't official.
I guess Elaine Chao does not have to testify at the impeachment hearing so she is free.
There shouldn't be any impeachment hearing. Impeachment for what? Pfffft!
gokai_wo_maneku
Maybe she is the only person in the administration not stained by scandal or migth suddenly have to appear before the impeachment investigation.
Serrano
Trump: if you are sending ms chao because she is Asian, you should know that not all Asians are the same.
He's not sending her because she's Asian, he's sending her because she's a high level gov't official whose schedule allows her to make the trip.
Serrano
A head of state should be afforded another head of state of a foreign country.
Trump's already been to Japan twice this year, plus he was the first foreign leader to meet with the emperor after his ascension.
Trump is an imbecile.
Watch the "imbecile" get re-elected in a landslide.
This is a serious breach of protocol that will not soon be forgotten, or forgiven.
it is not, and I guarantee the Japanese gov't is not gonna complain.
Ex_Res
Trump is an imbecile. This is a serious breach of protocol that will not soon be forgotten, or forgiven.
Not be soon forgotten or forgiven by whom?
The Imperial Palace in Japan will welcome the USA representative with all the due respect a protocol.
Elaine Choa will represent the USA with all the due respect and protocol.
presto345
Yes, he ran out of revolving credit here. So a secretary is a suitable substitute.
CaptDingleheimer
Those who are questioning this choice are overlooking why the decision was likely made.
As a person of Japanese ancestry, Secretary Chao will be more familiar with Japanese customs such as taking her shoes off indoors, eating rice for every meal, and using the pit toilets. Also, the Secretary will probably feel some simple comradery to be around other people who speak English with heavy accents.
bass4funk
Not King, but the President. If that’s Chao’s job to be, I’m sure she’ll be good at it. Good luck to her.
NCIS Reruns
Let's not mince words: This is bizarre. Even more bizarre than usual. It's like sending Betsy DeVos to the Nobel Prize ceremonies, or Rick Perry to Greta Thunberg's birthday party.
coskuri
That doesn't matter. Any country just needs to find some kind of official that owns a classy suit, got a fresh haircut, is healthy enough to stand up and stay still for a couple hours... It's the job. Nobody will be speaking or what.
Like her heavy Long Island accent ? Then it's not impossible but rare Chinese people have Japanese ancestry.
She wouldn't be in Trump's gang. Take a look at her resume. Conflicts of interest galore.
Numan
There is more to this story than meets the eye in terms of her selection to the enthronement ceremony.
This Is Still Happening: Elaine Chao
An ongoing roundup of Trump administration malfeasance.
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/09/elaine-chao-trump-corruption-still-happening.html
darknuts
Why not send the ambassador? She is already in Japan. Or would that have been worse? Hell, Tom Cruise would have been better.
Ex_Res
Why not send the ambassador?
The Ambassador of any country is probably the last minute stand-in, if something were to happen to the main guest (sickness, death, urgent problem, etc. etc.).
Ex_Res
At the end of the day, October 22, 2019 is Japans day. It is primarily for the Japanese people.
Who foreign countries send as representatives is really secondary.
Peter Neil
She is the wife of US Senate majority leader Mitch "Moscow" McDonnell and is currently under investigation for ethics violations.
Her family shipping business receives funding from the same department she heads and she only recently sold the stock she owned after being investigated. She has repeatedly been accused using political office to benefit the shipping company her family owns that is a major shipping line for goods from China.
jeancolmar
Maybe they were sure that Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao would not say anything creepy.
jeancolmar
On the other hand, she might.
Cogito Ergo Sum
I'd like to think they thought this through, and have a good reason to elevate Ms. Chao's international profile, possibly for a future foreign post or so.
rcch
what the ... O.o
kokoro7
Ex_Rez: Thanks for playing, but your inputs indicate a complete lack of understanding of Japanese culture. It isn't whether Chao is or isn't doing a good job as a part of the US administration; she probably does a great job and is to be commended if so. It's about position, of which the Japanese are very cognizant, given that their society is vertically structured, with limited horizontal aspects. This is also reflected in the language. Thus, clearly, it would be more appropriate for a high-level, Prez or VP, to attend.
Shoe on the other foot: Let's say you are the head of a company here and want to do business with the Japanese. Suppose they send their office supply supervisor to the meeting you're holding. Would that seem appropriate to you? (BTW, if they did, they're telling you they don't want to do business with you.)
Ex_Res
Shoe on the other foot: Let's say you are the head of a company here and want to do business with the Japanese. Suppose they send their office supply supervisor to the meeting you're holding. Would that seem appropriate to you? (BTW, if they did, they're telling you they don't want to do business with you.)
Yes, it often happens to me here. As long as it gets the job done, and communication is kept on track, I don't mind who visits me at the meeting.
Incidentally, my comments are not "playing" they are quite serious , and as I have already stated, I fail to see what part of Japanese culture that myself and others do not understand.
coskuri
No. On the contrary. Maybe a retired president or retired VP that could work. But if powerful countries sent all their "heads", they would still the show. I mean if there was Trump, Johnson, Merckel, Putin... they might meet and talk like at a G7, that could become bigger news than the ceremony.
The Tenno is a vertical accessory.
ZENJI
trump has just shown his true colours "YELLOW " the cowards colour.
trump has insulted the Imperial Family and Japan as a Country.
David Varnes
Chao is literally the 14th in line in terms of succession to the Presidency.
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Presidential_line_of_succession
If the UK were to send a similarly-ranked member of their succession, they'd send Princess Anne... to which 95% of the world would then reply "Who?"
Serrano
trump has insulted the Imperial Family and Japan as a Country.
He has done no such thing.
BertieWooster
Numan posted this link:
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/09/elaine-chao-trump-corruption-still-happening.html
Anyone with any interest in this topic really should read this article.
Numan
@BertieWooster
Like a said previously in my earlier post that was deleted secretly right after I logged off, Elaine Chao's family is just as corrupt as the current President's family. They also run their business out of China. She regularly has overseas government meetings with her family members present. Why would she being that?
"40kg Of Cocaine Found On Mitch McConnell’s Father-In-Law’s Boat"
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2014/10/31/1340696/-40kg-Of-Cocaine-Found-On-Mitch-McConnell-s-Father-In-Law-s-Boat
Her attending this enthronement gives her family business more credibility in China. Chao wants to hang around really important world leaders the way Ivanka tried to look important. The media reported how embarrassing that was for Ivanka Kushner and her husband.
In exchange for this favor, Moscow Mitch promises to try and derail any attempts to impeach the President in the Senate.
Numan
Moscow Mitch and Ms. Chao are both corrupt, so she stay loyal to the President for their personal gain too. If she becomes involved in some trade deal with China then rest assured that her families shipping business will be involved.