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On December 12, DPJ President Banri Kaieda welcomed U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Bouvier Kennedy to party headquarters, and exchanged views on a variety of issues.
At the start of the meeting, Kaieda extended his heartfelt appreciation to Kennedy for her visit, and expressed his admiration for the important role she had played in various fields, including politics. He stated that since the formation of the DPJ in 1998, “the fact that Japan has two political parties capable of taking the reins of power has I believe played an important role in Japan’s democracy,” and showcased the party’s determination to take power once again.
Ambassador Kennedy stated that “discussions are important for democracy” and “I look forward to learning more about Japan and the issues that we face going forward.” She also mentioned the late President John F. Kennedy, stating, “It is very meaningful for me to be here in Japan, where there are such warm feelings towards my father.”
Kaieda expressed his appreciation to the Ambassador for visiting the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake soon after taking up her post, and recalling that he had been METI minister at the time of the disaster, repeated his gratitude for the variety of assistance that the United States had provided at that time. He also touched on Kennedy’s recent visit to Nagasaki, stating his appreciation for her having “seen the areas affected by the atomic bombing with her own eyes.” Kennedy replied that she “hoped to make a positive contribution to the dialogue and work for peace and nuclear disarmament” during her term of office.
The meeting was also attended by Secretary General Akihiro Ohata, Executive Office Director General Satoshi Arai, Administration Committee Chair Shoichi Kondo, International Department Director General Kaname Tajima and Vice Directors General Naoki Kazama and Yuichi Goto for the DPJ.
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