U.S. President Donald Trump is yet to name an ambassador to Japan. Which is more important for incoming ambassadors: To be well connected to their head of state or to have a good knowledge of the coun

It would be nice if they had even a rudimentary knowledge of Japanese (日本語).

What if he appoints a hot model, just like her current wife, to work together with the Japanese on Kawaii culture but with a sexier attitude and less pedophilia?

I heard Milo is looking for a job :P

Japan would think he got a good deal if Ivanka became ambassador in Japan.

The feud between the Kennedys and the Obamas has been well-documented.

Did (the late) Ted get that memo?

IT's best if the president sends me! I am the right man for the job.

At least these positions won't go to "bundlers" (party members who collect huge campaign donations, but who otherwise have no experience). Bundlers were nearly absent from his campaign.

Who he appoints will depend on how far he wants to go in regards to equalizing trade, the ambassador will be speaking with his voice. If he plans to go easy, he can send someone else like Kennedy, if he wants to be tough, he can send someone like Bolton.

Kennedy was appointed because of her connections in government, however, she is also very well educated in all aspects of being an ambassador.

Kennedy was appointed ambassador to Japan because Michelle Obama wanted her far away from her husband. The feud between the Kennedys and the Obamas has been well-documented.

noriyosan73

Kennedy was appointed because of her connections in government, however, she is also very well educated in all aspects of being an ambassador.

Disagree. She was connected but not much in government (personal connections but not professional ones) and had little to no experience in government (aside from the debacle that was her almost-appointment by the NY Governor to fill Hillary Clinton's senate seat) or pol/mil matters. She was appointed for her star factor and connection to Camelot/White House alone. Besides, she may have been liked by the Japanese public but was a totally ineffective ambassador and absolutely despised by her Embassy/Consulate staff. You should hear them go off on how much of a nightmare it was to work for her. The State Department absolutely do not want her back.

She could be reappointed by President Trump and easily confirmed.by the Senate although that is highly unlikely.

Not in a million years.

@Laguna - Spot on, my friend !

Requirements: Toady to Trump and no autonomy over deputy picks. That's the job description for all recent appointments.

Nobody is appointed to the position unless the person is well connected to the president. Kennedy was appointed because of her connections in government, however, she is also very well educated in all aspects of being an ambassador. She could be reappointed by President Trump and easily confirmed.by the Senate although that is highly unlikely.

I hope sarah p is the next ambassador we really need some comic relief in this country!!

What happened to William Hagerty?

https://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/trump-to-choose-hagerty-as-next-u-s-ambassador-to-japan

Neither, since all they do here is perform social functions. If Angelina Jolie was the next ambassador to the US, the Japanese would be delighted.

Where's the fourth choice? "I don't care!"

Trump has not appointed an ambassador to Japan. Did he forget? Or is he sending a veiled message to Abe?

I may be mistaken but I think most countries post career diplomats as ambassadors. Certainly, Japan does. In the case of the U.S., it is invariably a friend of the president or a big political fund donor or someone like that. Most of the embassy work is done by the various attaches and consular officials anyway, and they usually remain longer than ambassadors.

Not having a good knowledge of the country they are posted to means that there could be problems in the foreseeable future. I think its absolutely dire to have an understanding of the country you are being posted to. It also helps, if possible, to have a good working relationship with the commander in chief.