New U. S. ambassador to Japan ready for closer bilateral relations
(From The Japan Times July 29 issue)

日米関係強化に臨む新駐日大使

When U.S. President Barack Obama nominated Mr. John V. Roos as the next American ambassador to Japan, some Japanese were apparently perplexed because the California-based lawyer was almost unknown to them and a Washington "Beltway" outsider.

It had been initially reported that the ambassadorial post would go to Mr. Joseph Nye, a Harvard professor emeritus and former assistant secretary of defense, who also invented the concept of "soft power." But Mr. Roos' statements during a Senate confirmation hearing show that he could serve as an important link for deepening bilateral relations between Japan and the United States.

At the Senate hearing, Mr. Roos stressed the importance of Japan-U.S. ties by saying, "Our alliance with Japan is the cornerstone of security and stability in the East Asia-Pacific region."

Importantly, Mr. Roos expressed his confidence that the close bilateral ties that exist will not be affected even if the opposition Democratic Party of Japan takes the reins of power in the Aug. 30 Lower House election. He said that the bilateral relationships are "deep" and that "we will continue to have those relationships, no matter what government is in power."

The situation in East Asia has become uncertain as North Korea repeats provocative acts such as a nuclear test and missile launch tests. China's rise is also a factor that can change the power equation in the region. If Mr. Roos starts his job in Tokyo this summer, he will have to prepare for Mr. Obama's visit to Japan in November, Japan-U.S. consultations on the effectiveness of U.S. military deterrence (including the nuclear umbrella) and issuance of a joint statement on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the revision of the bilateral security treaty.

His job may not be an easy one. But it is hoped that he can quickly adapt to new situations and cope with crises — skills that Mr. Roos has nurtured as a lawyer in Silicon Valley. It is hoped that these skills will enable him to maintain and further develop the relationship between the two countries.

オバマ大統領指名の次期駐日米大使、ジョン・ルース弁護士は、官僚経験も日米関係での知名度もなく、日本人の間に困惑が広がった。

ルース氏の上院の指名承認公聴会での発言を聞く限り、日米関係深化に重要な役割を果たすと思われる。

氏は、日米同盟は「東アジア･太平洋地域の平和と安定の礎石」であり、政権が交代しても日米関係に大きな変化はないと強調した。北朝鮮の挑発行為や中国の台頭など東アジア情勢は不安定だ。米大統領訪日、核の傘を含む拡大抑止に関する日米会議、安保条約改定50年の共同声明発表などの準備が必要になる。

シリコンバレーでの弁護士経験を生かして問題を乗り越え、日米関係深化に務めてほしい。