Kennedy sails through hearing for Japan ambassadorship

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Former first daughter Caroline Kennedy coasted through a Senate confirmation hearing to be the next U.S. ambassador to Japan, promising to carry forward John F. Kennedy’s legacy with humility.

The soft-spoken Kennedy told the Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday that if confirmed, she would work to strengthen the crucial bond between the United States and its Asian ally on trade, the military and student exchanges.

Japan is the U.S.’s fourth-largest trading partner and is home to the Navy’s 7th Fleet and 50,000 American troops.

With her husband, Edwin Schlossberg, son, Jack, and daughter, Tatiana, seated nearby, Kennedy said she understood her responsibility to uphold the ideals of her father — “a deep commitment to public service, a more just America and a more peaceful world.”

Kennedy faced gentle questioning from Republicans and Democrats on the committee, signaling that she faced no obstacles to confirmation. Several senators said she would make a “great” ambassador.