Incoming Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Ryozo Kato is expected to take up his post in mid-October, diplomatic sources said Wednesday.
The current ambassador, Shunji Yanai, is expected to stay until the end of September due to a busy diplomatic schedule, including Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka's visit to the United States in early September, they said.
Tanaka plans to attend a Washington ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty between Japan and 48 other nations that settled issues stemming from World War II. During the stay, she is expected to hold talks with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.
In late September, to coincide with the U.N. General Assembly session in New York, Japan and the U.S. are considering holding the "two plus two" security talks between their foreign and defense ministers.
Earlier this month, Tanaka named Kato, then deputy foreign minister, to succeed Yanai amid turmoil over personnel appointments at the Foreign Ministry.