Comments on: America’s Ambassadors to Japan

By: ComingAnarchy.com » Blog Archive » Four Years On, a look at America’s Ambassadors to Japan

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:23:56 +0000

[...] and future ambassadors to Japan that inspires me to repost an article I wrote on these pages four years ago. I wrote this post in response to rumors that House Speaker Denny Hastert would be selected as the [...]

By: ComingAnarchy.com » Blog Archive » Curzon right two years early

ComingAnarchy.com » Blog Archive » Curzon right two years early — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 11:13:40 +0000

[...] HT to Joe. Would you believe the post below is two years old? Turns out it’s now finally on the verge of becoming true. [...]

By: Mutant Frog Travelogue » Blog Archive » J. Thomas Schieffer arrives in Japan

Sat, 09 Apr 2005 20:14:21 +0000

[...] nd of Bush, owned the Rangers with him, on the board at JP Morgan) or who came before him, why he’s the ambassador, what happened to Baker (“In [...]

By: Adamu

Adamu — Sat, 13 Nov 2004 17:03:46 +0000

Sorry for the belated comment. Your entry made me think, because many people, not knowing any better, have suggested I could become Japanese ambassador after hearing I lived in Japan and speak the language. I’ve never wanted to be an ambassador or even a member of the Foreign Service, much to the dismay of my mother. The job is often thankless and doesn’t offer me the freedom I need in a my work.

It only makes sense that the Japanese would want a connected Senator or whatever to get their voice heard in Washington, and it similarly makes sense for us to give such a person the job with all the prestige and high living that come with it. But where does that leave us “Japan experts”? Are we doomed to be relegated to the position of assistant or academic, filling in the blanks for the smarter people who have neither the time nor patience to learn the finer points of Japanese language or culture? Right now I can’t help but agree with you and Saru and say that as things go, striving to become another Reischauer at this moment in time doesn’t look all that attractive. Neither does becoming a legislator.

I don’t agree that there’s no future in a Japan-related career, though. You may have given up, Saru, but I won’t. China will never have food as delicious as Japan’s.

By: Saru

Saru — Mon, 08 Nov 2004 22:26:36 +0000

You might be happy to learn that beginning January, I will restart Chinese classes, and with any luck hope to find myself studying intensive Chinese in Beijing sometime within the next two years. We all know that unless you’re a lawyer, an investment banker, or a lame-ass gaijin tarento, there isn’t much future in a Japan-oriented career. As for a top legislative position, especially in Washington – count me out.