Biden to tap ex-Obama aide for ambassador to Japan

Aug 22, 2021 | News On Japan

Aug 22, 2021 (NHK) - US President Joe Biden plans to name a close aide to former President Barack Obama as US ambassador to Japan.

The White House announced the nomination of Rahm Emanuel on Friday.

Emanuel, a 61-year-old former congressman, served as Obama's chief of staff from 2009 and led efforts to enact the so-called Obamacare act, a top priority issue for the administration. He went on to serve as mayor of Chicago from 2011 to 2019 during which he was criticized for his handling of a fatal shooting of a Black teenager by a white police officer.

Emanuel is believed to be close to President Biden as well. His was earlier considered for the positions of transportation secretary and US envoy to China.

The post of US ambassador to Japan has been vacant since William Hagerty stepped down in July 2019 to run for the Senate.

The Biden administration places particular importance on maintaining good relations with Japan, a key US ally, as part of its effort to counter China, which it sees as the "most serious competitor" of the United States.

If confirmed by the Senate, Emanuel would have to deal with tasks including strengthening the bilateral alliance.

The White House also announced that Biden plans to nominate former under secretary of state Nicholas Burns as US ambassador to China. Burns served as US envoy to NATO.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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