New U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass, arriving in Tokyo on Friday, vowed to work with Japan to counter China’s assertiveness in the region and to ensure that the bilateral alliance remains a “force of peace.”
The 64-year-old, whose business acumen has been touted by President Donald Trump, also said he is “extremely optimistic” that a deal will be reached between the United States and Japan in negotiations over U.S.-imposed tariffs.
New U.S. ambassador to Japan George Glass speaks at a press conference at Tokyo’s Haneda airport upon his arrival on April 18, 2025. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Speaking to reporters after landing at Haneda airport in Tokyo, Glass touched on the severe regional security environment and stressed the need to “push back against a country like China.”
“We sit with Japan in a very tough neighborhood. You have Russia, you have China, and you have North Korea,” Glass said.
Glass, a businessman from Oregon with a background in investment banking and real estate, was confirmed as ambassador to Japan by the U.S. Senate last week. He served as envoy to Portugal during Trump’s first presidential term between 2017 and 2021.
Trump, who returned to office in January, has agreed with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to strengthen the bilateral alliance. But he has also shaken trade relations by rolling out hefty tariffs on Japan, as well as on other countries around the world.
Glass’s arrival came just days after the two governments held their first ministerial talks on the U.S. tariffs in Washington, with the Japanese side calling for their reconsideration.
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AloJapan.com