New US Ambassador to Japan: US and Japan have formed “one of the most successful alliances in the history of the world"; China rejects request by the Japanese Navy to make a port call in Hong Kong; DPJ may win two-thirds majority in August 30 polls
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    • The new US ambassador to Japan, John Roos, arrived in Tokyo during the week and praised the strong ties between the two largest economies in the world. Roos a Silicon Valley internet and bio-technology lawyer, told reporters on arrival at Narita airport that the US and Japan "have formed one of the most successful alliances in the history of the world." He also noted that the two countries in 2010 would be celebrating the 50th anniversary of their post-war cooperation and security treaty1.

    China rejected a request to make a port call in Hong Kong by vessels of the Japanese Navy. "Sensitive issues" and "technical details" were cited as the reasons blocking the visit. Among other reasons cited were the visits to Japan by the Dalai Lama as well as the Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer, both of whom are considered separatists by Beijing2.

    Reports noted that Tokyo was not very much concerned about South Korea's first rocket launch, set for August 26. The rocket will fly over Japanese territory3.

    Meanwhile, survey results revealed that the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) may win a two-thirds majority of 320 or more seats in the House of Representatives election scheduled for August 30. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party
    (LDP) could fall short by as much as 100 seats. With a two-thirds majority in the 480-seat lower house, the DPJ could pass bills through the Diet without any support from other parties even if the bills are rejected in the House of Councillors, the upper house4.

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