Thursday, 17/08/2017 21:22 (GMT+7)
New US Ambassador to Japan William Hagerty on August 16th announced he would focus on maintaining the "ironclad" security and economic alliance between Tokyo and Washington, according to Kyodo.
New US ambassador to Japan William Hagerty (Photo: Kyodo)
In a video message released by the US Embassy in Tokyo ahead of his arrival, Hagerty said, "There is no bilateral relationship more important to the United States than our alliance with Japan. Our commitment to the security of Japan and our economic partnership is ironclad."
Mr. Hagerty, born in 1959, was previously a founder and managing director of Hagerty Peterson & Co., a private equity investment firm in Nashville, Tennessee.
He built ties with Japan through a three-year posting to Tokyo from the late 1980s to early 1990s while working for the Boston Consulting Group, and in his work as commissioner of economic development for Tennessee from 2011 to 2015.
On March 27th, President Donald Trump nominated Hagerty to serve as US Ambassador to Japan. He was confirmed on July 13th by the US Senate in an 86-12 vote.
He was sworn in as the 30th US Ambassador to Japan on July 27th, 2017.
The new Nmbassador will succeed Caroline Kennedy, who served under President Barack Obama's administration before leaving Tokyo in January./.
Compiled by BTA