Obama Likely to Name Nye as U.S. Amb. to Japan

Washington, Jan. 8 (Jiji Press)--Harvard University Prof. Joseph
Nye, known for his "soft power" strategy, has emerged as a major candidate
for the U.S. ambassador to Japan in the incoming administration of Barack
Obama, diplomatic sources said Thursday.
Nye has served as assistant secretary of defense in the
administration of President Bill Clinton and assistant secretary of state
under President Jimmy Carter, tackling the reconstruction of the Japan-U.S.
security alliance in the post-Cold War world.
In 2000 and 2007, the Democrat scholar, joining a bipartisan group
which included republican Richard Armitage, formulated proposals on U.S.
policy toward Japan. Armitage served as deputy secretary of state in the
first administration of President George W. Bush.
Nye, an expert on international politics, coined the phrase "soft
power" to highlight cultural or ideological influence in diplomatic strategy
rather than military or economic power.
Obama hopes to broaden cooperation between Japan and the United
States from security affairs, which Bush has underscored, to such areas as
the economy, the environment and humanitarian assistance.
Nye would thus base U.S. coordination with Japan on this policy
line for assistance for Afghanistan and efforts to combat global warming.
Obama is also expected to name Kurt Campbell, former deputy
assistant secretary of defense under Nye, as assistant secretary of state in
charge of East Asian and Pacific affairs, the sources said.
The Obama administration may create a special post in charge of
negotiations with North Korea. Assistant Secretary of State for Asian and
Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill has served as the U.S. top negotiator in
six-party talks on North Korea's denuclearization under the Bush
administration.