|
 |
 |
|
Kennedy in line for US envoy to Japan
Caroline Kennedy is the Obama administration's top choice for U.S. ambassador to Japan as the two countries look to warm up relations.
The 55-year-old author and lawyer from New York, and the daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy, would be following in her family's footsteps of public service as an envoy to U.S. allies if she heads to Tokyo, Bloomberg first reported on Wednesday.
President Obama has reportedly given the nomination clearance, but the vetting process is ongoing.
She backed Obama in 2008 and was a co-chairman of his campaign for a second term, continuing the trend by the president to reward campaign donors.
Kennedy's grandfather, Joseph P. Kennedy, was chosen by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1938 to serve in Britain as ambassador to the Court of St. James's. In 1993, her aunt, Jean Kennedy Smith, was picked as the envoy to Ireland by President Clinton.
Newly elected Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Washington and met with Obama a week ago in hopes of forming a stronger bond, especially in trade and defense, between the two allies.
The U.S. and Japan are still in discussions about Tokyo getting a seat at the negotiating table for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). In a cautiously worded statement after their meeting last week, the White House indicated it may be willing to let the economic struggling nation into the talks without first reaching an agreement to eliminate tariffs in sensitive sectors of their economy.
Business groups, particularly automakers, along with some lawmakers, oppose Japan's entry into the talks at this late stage. But automakers argue that Japan's economy is too closed off to join the discussions with 11 other nations, including the United States.
Kennedy would replace Ambassador John Roos, a former Silicon Valley-based lawyer who led Obama's California financing operation in 2008.
Most Viewed RSS Feed »
