Following the devastating 9.0 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis on March 11, 2011, Ambassador Roos helped lead the American mission to support Japan’s response to the multi-dimensional and unprecedented disaster.  On February 8, 2012, Ambassador Roos shared his first-hand account of what it was like to be on the ground as events unfolded, discussed U.S. efforts to assist Japan, and explained what the experience means for U.S.-Japan relations.

Ambassador Roos’ tenure in Tokyo comes at an historic period.  Shortly after his arrival, power shifted from the Liberal Democratic Party for essentially the first time in fifty years to the Democratic Party of Japan and Ambassador Roos played a key role in managing the relationship through the transition. On August 6, 2010 he became the first U.S. official ever to attend the commemoration ceremony of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima.  During his two and a half years in Japan, Ambassador Roos has built relationships and established a rich and active dialogue with government leaders, businesspeople, media and students over the course of his travels across 44 of Japan's 47 prefectures.