Hearing to mull John Roos' nomination as envoy to Japan set for Thursday

Tuesday 21st July, 06:00 AM JST

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13 Comments

elbudamexicano at 08:05 AM JST - 21st July

Roos? Cool name, sounds like what they have in the outback and in Aussies backyards once in a while. Roos? Ha! Ha! Ha! Good luck Roos old boy!
bamboohat at 10:22 AM JST - 21st July

Wait, this guy is going to be an ambassador to Japan because of his political connections/donations, and not his qualifications?

He'll fit right in here.....
magpie at 12:08 PM JST - 21st July

But hasn't that almost always been the case? Every president has always reserved some of his ambasadorships as political chips to reward top fund raisers.
Ninjazilla at 01:01 PM JST - 21st July

this hearing wont be very long since this guy doesnt have any experience to talk about in the first place.
apecNetworks at 05:43 PM JST - 21st July

Well, if Mr. Roos becomes the next U.S. Ambassador to Japan and can't get answers from the State Dept. or the US Embassy in Japan, he can pose the question on JT, and I'm sure he can get a response.
taikan at 10:55 PM JST - 21st July

Every president has always reserved some of his ambasadorships as political chips to reward top fund raisers.

That's true, but those appointments usually are limited to countries where the US does not anticipate having any significant issues arise. Given the likelihood of a new administration in Japan, the actions of the North Koreans, and other developments in China and Southeast Asia that may impact on the US-Japan relationship, it seems strange for Obama to appoint someone with no history of involvement in US-Japan issues.
JohnBecker at 01:01 AM JST - 22nd July

Good point, taikan, but I think the more important posting would be to China.
Gaijinocchio at 01:43 AM JST - 22nd July

Perhaps this is insight into what the U.S expects their future foreign relations with Japan to be like. Insignificant.

Japan is just like Roo: rich but not secure, little exposure and linguistic ability to the country in question, and no diplomatic competence/ability whatsoever.
nigelboy at 04:28 AM JST - 22nd July

Hiring imcompetents seems to be the norm of the Obama administration.
apecNetworks at 04:32 AM JST - 22nd July

It seems very simple to understand why Mr. Roos is being considered - although the choice is dependent on the particular actors involved. Actual change of political party is very disruptive, but democracy may visit Japan. Those in EXTREMELY high positions knows the operative term is, "the arc of instability".
zurcronium at 04:58 AM JST - 22nd July

The guy that bush put in place Schieffer was a co-owner of the Texas Rangers with bush and a fund raiser for bush in Texas. That is why he got the job. No Japan experience and not all that bright. Baker, the guy before him, had his glory days in the Senate impeaching Nixon but when he was here in Japan he only focused on lunch. Now Schieffer is running for governor of Texas. Perfect.

Roos works for the number one legal firm in silicon valley and is smart at least. Now that the DPJ is going to take over good things will happen between the winning democrats in the USA and the winners here in Japan.
nigelboy at 05:30 AM JST - 22nd July

Now that the DPJ is going to take over good things will happen between the winning democrats in the USA and the winners here in Japan.

Just go back a few years ago when the re-fuling mission bill was about to expire and Schieffer had to go beg Ozawa to get it passed.(initial meeting refused by Ozawa) Go back recently when Clinton asked to meet and Ozawa initially gave her the cold shoulder citing "conflict in schedule". You should read the 2008 DPJ manifest where they wanted to cut payments to U.S. bases (Omoiyari yosan).

I guess now that DPJ may actually win the next election, they toned down their "anti-U.S." policies with their soon to be released 2009 manifest.

In any case, soon to follow :

"Obama walks on water" crowd
Okinawamike at 07:20 AM JST - 22nd July

Now this is just wrong! They know Japanese can not say words or names with "R".

He will show up and people will chant Woo! Woo! Woo! This guy will just throw his arms in the air and be like "YEAAAAA"!