President Barack Obama nominated former first daughter, Caroline Kennedy for the post of the next U.S. ambassador to Japan, Wednesday, July 24.
Caroline, the only surviving child of assassinated President, John F. Kennedy, would be the first woman to serve as an envoy to the island nation, a crucial U.S. ally in Asia.
A lawyer by training, she has been a key Obama supporter since 2008 and also participated enthusiastically in the 2012 presidential elections.
President Obama's nomination keeps up with a well-established tradition of rewarding crucial election campaign supporters with plum embassy placements.
Recently the president had appointed several vital supporters as envoys to Berlin, Madrid, London and Copenhagen.
If Kennedy's nomination is approved by the Senate, she would bring a third generation of the esteemed Kennedy family into the American diplomat corporation. Caroline's aunt, Jean Kennedy Smith was ambassador to Ireland during President Clinton's tenure and her grandfather Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. was ambassador to Britain under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
America has always sent experienced and highly respected statesmen to Japan to show its regards for the nation. Previous U.S. Ambassadors to the island nation included former Senate majority leader Mike Mansfield, former Vice-President Walter Mondale and former House Speaker Tom Foley.
Caroline Kennedy doesn't have any special ties to Tokyo, a key ally in dealing with the disputes involving the China Sea and handling North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
If the Senate confirms her nomination, she would replace John Roos, a wealthy former Silicon Valley lawyer and top Obama campaign fundraiser.
