Japan considers naming Yomiuri chairman as ambassador to Switzerland

Typical LDP, only favoring media which holds similar views on revisionism and is likewise as conservative. Japan is honestly starting to look like an aristocracy based on LDP.

Swiss ambassador - perhaps the coziest prize that could be awarded to the overtly obsequious amongst the in-house clan.

Not too many war-ish things to bother about, social unrest, poverty, raging inflationary spirals and all those other dastardly matters that can make ones life - well - just uncomfortable.

Plenty of penguin-suited parties with all the lashings of lushness.

Jolly good show Shiraishi-san.

Thanks Abe Old Boy. Jolly good.

US ambassadorial appointments are notoriously political with "plum" appointments going to party donors and activists. This happens under both Democratic and Republican presidents. Is there some reason why it is acceptable for US administrations to do this but not Japanese?

Henny Penny - no, it's not acceptable for anyone imho.

Such positions as the direct link and face of a country, should be awarded to those who with exemplary skills esp in communication / discussion / debate, deep knowledge and understanding of international relations, strong awareness of cultural aspects of societies, good grasp of economics and science etc.

Some ambassadors meet such requirements, but many like Shiraishi, head of the media network that unashamedly acts as Abe's promotional vehicle, simply gets the job over "lesser" unknowns on that basis.

I don't know about the states and it's not directly relevant to this topic, but the Old Boy Net is prolific in Japan, essentially running the country in all fields.