On April 13, former U.S. Vice President and Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Walter Mondale paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Aso at the PM's official residence. Visiting time was just 23 minutes. So, Japanee news media covered that Mr. Mondale met Mr. Ichiro Ozawa, President of Democratic Party of Japan more than the meeting with Mr. Aso.
Mr. Mondale has been the Ambassador to Japan from September, 1993 to December, 1996. The words, "the U.S. Ambassador to Japan" reminds me of a scoop, "Harvard professor Joseph Nye to be new envoy to Japan" in last January by one of Japanese major newspapers.
As of today, Dr. Nye has not been confirmed as the next ambassador to Japan.
"Joe will be the envoy to Japan? Great!" "How excited Professor Nye assumes office as ambassador to Japan!" Some scholars and government officials in Japan rejoiced the news.
But, I am suspicious whether Professor Nye will take the ambassadorship. At the Senate confirmation hearing on January 13, Mrs. Clinton emphasized her State Department would use "smart power" without reserve. It is Mr. Nye that created the word and its concept.
If Professor Nye becomes the ambassador, his superior will be theoretically Madam Secretary. I am wondering whether a person who invented "soft power" will consent to situation around him.
[PHP Global e-Forum Editorial Office]
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