Incoming ambassador Roos is right for the job

When U.S. President Barack Obama nominated John V. Roos as Ambassador to Japan in 2009, some in Tokyo were skeptical because Roos was not a career diplomat or Japan specialist (he was a tech lawyer and Obama campaign donor). In this joint commentary, Robert Dujarric and Weston Konishi argue that these concerns were misplaced. They assert that what matters most in an ambassador is clout in Washington – and Roos, as a close Obama confidant, had the President’s ear. That influence could prove invaluable in advancing Japan’s interests. By contrast, previous envoys who were Japan experts but lacked top-level pull sometimes struggled to get Washington’s attention for alliance issues.

The authors also contend that Roos’s outsider status might bring fresh ideas and reflect Obama’s innovative, change-oriented approach – potentially invigorating the alliance. They remind readers that other non-traditional ambassadors in Asia had succeeded by leveraging high-level connections and intellect. Roos’s Silicon Valley background signaled emphasis on innovation and people-to-people ties as well. Dujarric and Konishi conclude that rather than fretting over Roos’s Japanese vocabulary, Tokyo should welcome an ambassador who can call Obama directly. His appointment was a sign of the alliance’s importance to the new administration, and his success would hinge on policy savvy and access, where Roos was well-equipped.