Assistant Secretary Campbell Meeting with Foreign Minister Matsumoto

March 10, 2011

Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell today informed Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto that, effective immediately, Rust Deming, a long-time diplomat, former Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, and a strong friend of Japan, has been appointed Director of the Office of Japan Affairs at the State Department.

Assistant Secretary Campbell conveyed his deep regrets about statements attributed to Mr. Maher in recent news reports. He reiterated that these reported statements in no way reflect U.S. Government policy or the utmost respect the United States has for the Okinawan people.