New US ambassador to Japan arrives in Tokyo

Jan 23 (NHK) - The new US Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, arrived in Tokyo on Sunday.

After landing at Haneda Airport with his wife, Amy, Emanuel posted a message on Twitter in both Japanese and English. It said, "Amy and I are excited to have arrived in Japan and are eager to meet the people of Japan as we travel throughout the country."

The 62-year-old Chicago native is known for his hard-driving style. He was a member of the US House of Representatives before serving as chief of staff to then-President Barack Obama. Emanuel is known to be close to current President Joe Biden, who was Obama's vice president.

In an interview with NHK before leaving for Tokyo, Emanuel indicated he will work to further strengthen Japan-US relations, with China's growing influence in mind. He said the two democracies are at a critical juncture to advance their common value systems.

The post of US ambassador to Japan was vacant for about two and a half years after William Hagerty stepped down in July 2019 to run for the Senate.

The US Embassy in Tokyo said Emanuel is expected to start his work as ambassador after 10 days of quarantine at his official residence in the capital.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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