New Kind of Ambassador in Tokyo?

There is to be a new kind of ambassador in Tokyo!  I just read in the Japan Times that John V. Roos, a Silicon Valley attorney, has been designated as ambassador by President Obama and in my opinion, he is just what Japan-US business needs.  But many seem to disagree. Why?

The nay-sayers say he isn’t the usual politico. I say that is a good thing. They say that his appointment means the new presidency is treating Japan as less than important. I say not so. 

New conditions call for new solutions

In times like these when the old standards are not working (and that is putting it mildly), it is time to create something new.

How can a successful lawyer who has worked at and overseen one of the most successful law firms in the country and has worked with “serial entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors, top university innovators and successful venture accelerators, as well as the large firms, opinion makers, journalists and others with whom they interact”, be anything but a good choice? Be anything but good for Japan-US business and relations? 

The ‘new mindset’ calls for him. The ‘new Japan’ calls for him. The Japan-U.S. business community calls for him. I call for him.

According to Rochelle Kopp,  owner of Japan Intercultural Consulting and Professional Training and Coaching Consultant, "the role of ambassador is to show leadership and set the tone and they can have an influence by the programs and activities that they support". Well, I agree with Rochelle wholeheartedly.

I hope that he will lead the charge and support fully, "the new initiatives that Japan is in the process of making in shifting toward a more innovation-based knowledge economy" as stated in the article and also support smaller companies and entrepreneurs, both Japanese and American, who are trying to innovate in the areas of knowledge services and technology. 

Let me know what you think.

Comments

[Mak Allen]

Does he speak Japanese?

[nay-sayer]

It maybe good for the business community but I do not think Mr. Roos has the diplomatic and security experience needed at a time when North Korea’s threats of nuclear and missile threats have the northern Pacific countries concerned, if not worried.
I think at this time the US neeeds someone with strong diplomatic and security experience.