The new US ambassador to Japan, George Glass, has expressed hope that the United States and Japan will reach an agreement on the issue of tariffs.



Glass spoke to reporters after he and his wife arrived at Tokyo's Haneda airport on Friday.



The ambassador said that US Vice President JD Vance spoke to him about his new job. Vance reportedly said, "You have quite a responsibility coming, because you are going to go and serve to our most important ally and the most important region in the world at the most important time." Glass said that Vance's words struck him very deeply.



The ambassador described the partnership between the US and Japan as a powerful force for peace, prosperity and progress in the region.



On the security front, he said that Japan is in a "very tough neighborhood." He said, "I mean you have Russia, China, North Korea." Glass stressed that Japan and the US need to cooperate more in the security sector.



When asked about the negotiations between Japan and the US on tariffs, Glass said that "President Trump is committed to taking a new path with American economics."



He said that he is extremely optimistic that a deal will be reached. The ambassador noted that Trump is involved in the negotiations. He also pointed out that the president has made the issue his top priority. He said he is confident that the two nations will get something done.



The ambassador's wife Mary said that their oldest son and his family live in Japan. She added, "George and I are very much looking forward to this new chapter in our life and spending it here in beautiful, beautiful Japan, doing our best to work for you and with you."