Uichiro Niwa

New Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan appointed lifetime Itochu salaryman Uichiro Niwa as the next ambassador to China. China has accepted this appointment. Although stodgier elements in the Japanese sphere, such as the Foreign Ministry, may not be pleased - as pointed out by the Mainichi Shimbum - but this is indeed a good move. The Foreign Ministry, like its counterparts in the civil service, typically boast that only their staff can serve these posts to to intelligence, training and experience, but this creates a stiff and inflexible team, which can have the opposite effect of not dealing effectively in a dynamic environment.

Already, the Chinese government has been caught off-guard by the announcement of Uichiro Niwa. But more importantly, Uichiro Niwa's background as a career businessman and ultimately president of Itochu, a major trading company, is highly suitable for the role of ambassador to China. Mutual trade between Japan-China is at an ever-growing level, and the trade vital to Japan Inc.'s future. While the migration of manufacturing from high-cost Japan to low-cost China has enabled Japanese players to remain competitive, this has not been without problems. Contamination of food products with chemicals and other substances has caused waves over the years. Over the past month many have followed employee strikes at Honda factories in China. These are issues for a businessman to tackle. Military expansion by China and accompanying effects such as the promotion of national patriotism at the expense of Japan and its role in World War II are serious concerns. Perhaps a businessman is not naturally suited to undertaking these challenges. On the other hand, the Foreign Ministry has shown no skill in handling them over the years, either.

It is also helpful to look at a model for the businessman-as-ambassador; the U.S. typically sends political appointees as its ambassadors to large and influential countries. While these appointees do not always get along with the foreign service officers, this model allows a President to understand and direct foreign policy more clearly and in line with his platform, and chooses from the best and the brightest (usually someone who has distinguished oneself in the private sector) to represent the country at the highest levels.