U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to Japan passed a first hurdle on Tuesday, with his nomination clearing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Although Trump in March nominated Hudson Institute think tank head Kenneth Weinstein, his nomination was only greenlighted by the Senate panel Tuesday.

“I am especially pleased to be sending ambassadorial nominees for Japan and Ukraine to the full Senate for confirmation,” Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Jim Risch said in a statement. “These posts play a vital role in U.S. foreign policymaking, and I hope Mr. Weinstein ... will be confirmed soon.”