Tokyo, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Friday he welcomes the nomination of Caroline Kennedy as the next US ambassador to Japan and was impressed by her sincerity in her confirmation hearing at the Senate.

 

 "Japan welcomes President Barack Obama's nomination of Caroline Kennedy to be the next US ambassador to Japan," the top government spokesperson told a news conference.

 

 "We are hoping for her early arrival and success in various fields," Suga said.

 

 He praised the efforts of outgoing US envoy John Roos who has held the position since August 2009.

 

 Kennedy, 55, the daughter of former US president John F. Kennedy, is an attorney and book editor who is serving as the president of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.

 

 If appointed by the Senate, she will be the first woman to take the post in Japan.

 

IANS