New U.S. Ambassador Caroline Kennedy to arrive in Japan on Nov 15

To think that she was in any way instrumental in electing Obama aside from Manhattan fund-raising cocktail parties is delusional. Also, "She knows sushi and teppan-yaki and other Japanese food." That is hysterical. So does any homeless person on the Castro. But you know? My three years in Japan profoundly changed my life. I hope Caroline Kennedy listens well, and observes, at least initially, rather than asserts. Ultimately, I wish her well.

Years ago,Obama was coming. Retired Mayor Oscar Goodman was going to have Dem. people to do welcome at Airport but no one was interested. He was not going, either, So his wife Carolyn (Mayor) had to go. Only one person when presidential airplane came. When Carolyn came to Vegas. a whole bunch, pf men and women welcomed. At least she eats Japanese food. Japanese women will welcome, I think.

toshikoNov. 09, 2013 - 03:51AM JST

She was against Hilary and brought conservative votes for Obama (1st term). Hilary is liberal.

Obama is very liberal as well as Hillary.

What you have missed here is a dynamic how Caroline was involved and supported Obama.

Caroline's uncle Edward Kennedy(D MA) started a health care reform (later called Obamacare) in the 70. He casted his last vote for very critical Medicare reform before retiring. Before his death, he was looking for someone who could complete his life long mission and dream in his political legacy. Obama was a perfect fit for electability for Presidential election, and he saw Obama was able to fulfill his dream. Caroline was well aware of her responsibility for the healthcare reform and she aggressively campaigned for Obama for the cause.

You know the rest.

She was against Hilary and brought conservative votes for Obama (1st term). Hilary is liberal. Many USA people praised her for that effort to enable first black President in USA. She is friendly with liberal people in USA democratic party including Harry Reid (NV). She is not anti Women, either. BTW, in USA, we don;t use metric system. So, her height is 5 feet 4 inches' She is not fat. On high heel, depending on what kind floor and what kind of shoes she wears she looks different in size. If she stands on soft floor such as boxing and kick boxing, her heel sank. If she stands on baseball field, she is taller and we can see her shoes. She has been more ceremonia for quite while in USA. She knows sushi and teppan-yaki and other Japanese food.

I think this appointment is foolish, lazy, and is just one more example of how my gov, the US gov, has completely lost touch with anything remotely approaching a common global reality.

Her easy accessibility to the White House is an asset for US/Japan diplomacy.

So, my wife, from Nagano, just asked me, "Does she speak Japanese? Does she know anything about our culture? Does she understand the relationship between our two countries and have any vision of our future relationship?" I just laughed. I think this appointment is foolish, lazy, and is just one more example of how my gov, the US gov, has completely lost touch with anything remotely approaching a common global reality.

shinhiyata

Why? Sendai is only the 12th most populous city in Japan. It ain't that big. Part-time consulates aren't so economical if you have to pay rent on the building you are using.

toshikoNov. 08, 2013 - 08:43PM JST

She is neither liberal nor conservative, not political

Fault. She is VERY liberal in ideology. She is also VERY political and has a law degree.

Toshiko, I cannot let your big misinformation unnoticed.

She is neither liberal nor conservative, not political.

Uh, Toshiko... I think you need to study US politics 101. She's a Massachusetts Kennedy, which makes her very liberal and very Democratic. Maybe GOP members were happy to confirm her because it was a good way to get her out of the United States.

On another note, I think Japanese will be shocked to see how tall she is -- maybe 185cm in high heels.

@some14some: You remember when a majority of comment writers were excited to know she was coming to Japan.She is neither liberal nor conservative, not political. She had both Dem and GOP voted her at confirmation, it is good to see such a graceful and popular person to be an ambassador. @gokai-o-maneku, she disapears becuase she is not an one-truck-minded politician? In USA, she does not disappear when she is invited to daytimemedia,

There will be an initial parade of talk show stories and interviews for a month or so, then she will disappear.

She is qualified as well for the strategic implication towards China.

I hope she will make a concerted effort to establish a consulate office in Sendai. Even if it is only an occasional office like the Philippine government set up in Morioka. During the disaster, Americans had no access to any Dept of State resources here in Tohoku. We were cut off from Kanto by the JR stoppage, the lack of gasoline, as well as the Fukushima meltdown. I can not imagine why a city the size of Sendai doesn't merit a monthly or bimonthly consulate office to help with visa, passport, and notary matters for US citizens living in Tohoku. Sapporo and Tokyo are too far away and too expensive to take the entire family to if you live in Iwate or Akita. There are no State Dept services at Misawa if you are not military. It doesn't have to be a full fledged embassy, just a consulate, and just part time.

Ms Kennedy has a tattoo so I hope she doesn't plan on visiting any onsens whilst in Japan.

The legacy of The Kennedy (family) having both blessing s and curses. Hope Caroline brings a bright side of Kennedy to Japan. Cheers.

I guess she wants to be out of the U.S. when the 50th anniversary of the assassination media saturation starts.

Ha! It's already been going on for months, especially in the Dallas media. I'll bet the English newspapers here will run articles on the topic as well.

I guess she wants to be out of the U.S. when the 50th anniversary of the assassination media saturation starts.

welcome, although she has been greeted a dozen of times here on JT.