New US envoy Hagerty eager to enhance ties with Japan

August 17, 2017

WASHINGTON- New US Ambassador to Japan William Hagerty in a video message released on Wednesday stressed his intention to work on further fortifying the two countries' relations.

Noting that the relationship between the administration of US President Donald Trump and Japan is marked by a number of "notable firsts," Hagerty said, "The president and I share the belief that there is no bilateral relationship more important to the United States than our alliance with Japan."

In the video, which was recorded at his home in Nashville, Tennessee, Hagerty said that the first phone call from a national leader placed to Trump was from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and that Abe was also the first foreign leader to make a US visit after Trump's victory in the November 2016 US presidential election.

"Our commitment to the security of Japan and our economic partnership is ironclad," he said, apparently keeping in mind North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, and other challenges facing the two countries.

"As ambassador, I'm committed to bringing our two countries even closer together," Hagerty, who is set to arrive in Tokyo on Thursday, said. Jiji Press