Three days before the 50th anniversary of her father’s assassination, President Kennedy’s daughter Caroline has been greeted by cheering crowds in Tokyo as the newly appointed American ambassador to Japan.<br /><br />She travelled to the imperial palace in a horse-drawn carriage – as new ambassadors in the country are entitled to do – but few will have experienced the kind of reception she did, with thousands lining the streets.<br /><br />The fact that Kennedy is the only living child of the late president – and her ties to Barack Obama – have heightened interest in her appointment. <br /><br />The 55-year-old briefly met Emperor Akihito to hand over a letter from the US president with her credentials.<br /><br />She is the first woman to be named US ambassador to Japan. <br /><br />Caroline Kennedy’s appointment has been welcomed – she knows the country well, having first visited in 1978, and spent her honeymoon there.<br /><br />Some though question her lack of diplomatic experience, given the high state of tension between Japan and China.<br /><br />The Obama administration is seeking to bolster its alliance with Tokyo as <br />the countries respond to Beijing’s strength in the region.
