At a conference today listening to John V. Roos, the new US ambassador to Japan.
Amb. Roos was appointed by President Obama and arrived in Japan in August. He has a tough job ahead trying to negotiate issues like US military bases in Okinawa and building ties with a new Japanese administration.
Have you ever thought of going into international diplomacy? Wanted to do it while I was in college and my studies helped me in pursuing a career outside of the US.
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Student, ...someday...zzz
"US military bases in Okinawa"
I would oppose to this. No point in having MORE bases even if your trying to keep the 'peace'.
Network Admin & Programmer
http://sorvai.blogspot.com
They are not talking about more bases. they are talking about moving a base
pervert
they should just remove all their bases and let the japanese government make their own military.this way we can get to see a fully mobile valkyrie or gundam sooner
Student
I still want to be an ambassador or diplomat! Learning another language is the first step, though.
Car Washer
Ive been thinking about a career as a english, japanese and chinese translator for the government overseas. Would be a awesome job to travel around and meet lots of the important people in the world.
US Navy Sailor
http://punynari.wordpress.com/
I'm already an ambassador, in a way, but all over the Asia.
About the US bases in Okinawa.
It's probably to talk about things such as if Okinawa US marines should be moved to Guam at a faster pace and about the status of forces agreement with Japan. At least, that's what I read on the news.
High school student
http://www.animeraku.com
Yes, I have always dreamed and still dream about it! I think that people should have as grandiose dreams as possible. If they have low ambitions, they won't try as hard and won't get very far.
University Student
http://shikinami.wordpress.com/
I study foreign affairs, so diplomacy is a possible career to me. Too bad I can't picture myself defending Brazil anywhere ^^;
But talking about his Roos guy, Obama screwed up big time when he had chosen him. I mean, the guy does not have any experience, didn't know a single word in Japanese, does not know Japanese culture, and did nothing but to help financing Obama's campaign. And Obama just sent this guy to Japan in the best moment possible: a few months after North Korea's nuclear test just a few days after the long range missile test [also called "a satellite launch"] and just weeks before historical elections in Japan. Roos' first weeks in office were ridiculous, he just kept repeating the same lines all the time "I'll work to strengthen Japan-US relations." Great captain Obvious, that's the diplomatic way of saying nothing.
The other candidate was Joseph Nye, a worldwide known academician specialized on International Relations theory.
Anyway, if Roos manage to get Obama to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki then I'll have a better view of him.
University Student
http://shikinami.wordpress.com/
The Okinawa base issue, the Futenma base relocation plan, is no small thing. DPJ's manifesto promised to renegotiate the US bases in Okinawa, planning to relocate them to less populated areas or even outside Japan. The cabinet seems to be split in this issue, with Hatoyama, Def. Min. Kitazawa and FM Okada expressing different points of view to the press. US Sec of Def Gates warned that Japan's plan to review the 2006 accord might hurt the Japan-US alliance, US Sec of State Hillary seems to be critical on Japan's intentions as well, but Obama is more keen to discuss it once again. People in Okinawa have organized large protests to press Hatoyama to push for the renegotiation of the bases' location under Japanese conditions. The matter is, this is the main topic on the diplomatic agenda between Japan and the US and is probably one of the most important decisions Hatoyama's cabinet will make in the future. I definitely recommend everyone to follow this issue closely.
And I hate doing merchandise, but I've been discussing the Okinawa base issue since August on my twitter. =p
broke college student
http://www.shoutlife.com/bloodboughtsamurai
My very small list of views.
- I don't have enough information to bring an educated opinion to the table, but it's my belief that US military bases in Japan (though they may not be necessary) protect Japan by deterring countries with hostile intents from attacking (a "you didn't blow up our house, but you blew up our neighbors house and that's the same to us." thing. Not quite sure about it though, so feel free to correct me on this).
- I hate my countries politicians... And I'm embarrassed the rest of the world has to deal with them.
Japanology Student/Jedi Knight
Becoming an ambassador in Japan or East Asia is exactly what I have planned for my career. What did you study while persuing your goal? :-)