By It is ironic that the US diplomat recently removed from his post at the State Department due to alleged undiplomatic remarks he made to a group of students about Okinawans, has now emerged as a key part of the State Department’s team that is helping to coordinate the earthquake & tsunami disaster response:
Kevin Maher
Inside the “Operations Center” on the 7th floor of the State Department’s headquarters in Foggy Bottom, the Japan Earthquake Task Force is working 24 hours a day to coordinate U.S. assistance to the stricken area and keep lines of communication open between U.S. government agencies, foreign governments, and non-governmental organizations on the ground. Maher is the coordinator for the night shift (daytime in Japan), and has been working from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. every night since the quake hit.
Maher was removed as director of the Japan office at State on March 9, following reports that he told a group of American University (AU) students that Okinawan people were masters of “extortion,” but he was not fired and it was never proven that he made the incendiary comments. Maher has denied the accuracy of the press reports regarding his comments. According to State Department sources, he planned to retire following the controversy, but has now put off that retirement to contribute to the earthquake response, which could last for a while. [The Cable]
You can read more at the link but if the State Department threw Maher under the bus knowing that his alleged comments were distorted and he is still working hard to assist the relief effort; this should be something he should be greatly credited for. What is most ironic about all of this is that the Futenma Base that the Okinawans complain about so much has become a critical asset in the disaster response due to the number of US military helicopters stationed there.
2:58 am on March 17th, 2011 1
Isn't it ironic…
8:05 am on March 17th, 2011 2
It's an emergency situation. ALL hands on deck!
9:25 pm on March 17th, 2011 3
Thanks for bringing attention to my twin brother's situation. His 30 career of service to Japanese-American relations was trashed because an anti-base professor convinced his students to compile "notes" weeks after the actual speech, then take those "notes" to the Japanese press. There is one particularly idiot kid named Tory Miyagi who became the spokesman for the group to get his 15 minutes of fame. The professor from American University has said that all American military bases not on American soil should be shut down. A real moron.
Thanks again for bringing some positive attention to my brother. After the last couple of weeks he needs it.
By the way, I'm living in Korea (Ulsan) and I owe you a couple of beers!
11:55 pm on March 17th, 2011 4
@#3 – Thanks for commenting and providing further information about the situation surrounding your brother. Do you know if the State Department is forcing him to leave the department all together or was his removal just something they did until things blow over before appointing him to work US-Japan issues again?
Either way both reflect poorly on the State Department if they were unwilling to stand up for one of their people if what he said was blatantly twisted by these students.
1:11 am on March 18th, 2011 5
No, they just transferred him to another spot, but the day of the earthquake he had his retirement papers to turn in.His immediate boss defended him, but the next level went into defense mode, not allowing him to defend himself publicly. He could have retired 6 years ago and gotten a much better paying job in the private sector. I doubt that the State Department will let him deal with Japan again in an official capacity. It's ironic that the Japanese called him racist and his wife is Japanese. He has worked closely with the military on the Okinawa issue and he had to put up with tons of abuse when he was Consul General there.
7:40 pm on April 6th, 2011 6
Kevin was the worst thing to happen to Fukuoka in the 50 years I have lived here. He was famous for his lack of restraint concerning women other than his wife. Even when the consul staff cautioned him he thought rules didn't pertain to him. When he left I remember the CEO of the largest transportation company hugging me and saying "He's gone…at last he's gone" ..Well at last today he is really gone..unfortunately he loves Fukuoka and will probably return to here!
8:07 pm on April 6th, 2011 7
I've noticed that Jean Kawabe has commented on many sites about my brother, each time making the same comments and accusations. Having seen photos of her, in my opinion, she has to be one of the worst things to happen to Fukuoka in the last 50 years. She should be grateful for that hug, though I doubt anyone was able to get their arms completely around her.
4:46 pm on April 7th, 2011 8
Ahhh spoken like the brother of Kevin.
6:14 pm on April 7th, 2011 9
Jean,
It is obvious that we are being offered an opportunty to practice our skills in ridicule and condemnation.
To avoid future embarrassment, we generally like a bit more information before committing to a side.
If you would kindly tell us exactly why Kevin is so bad, perhaps others here will join you in condemning him.
My only words of advice are these…
Kevin seems to have a good professional reputation, which, short of crime, is far more important than personal reputation around here.
Many people here are experts at recognizing whiny personal complaint masked as legitimate concern.
With that in mind, we look forward to hearing more from you.
7:12 pm on April 7th, 2011 10
Jean,
Thanks for the compliment!
Kerry
Chickenhead,
Kevin had his reputation trashed by an activist professor, who manipulated his students, and who stayed at the home of the editor of the newspaper who originally published the "transcripts" of Kevin's speech. That "transcript" was prepared by 4 of the 14 students with the assistance of the Japanese editor and the professor. Kevin has recently resigned and will now be free to defend himself publicly, something he wasn't allowed to do by the state department, which caved to one editor, one professor, and some students who thought it would be cool to be in the media. I believe Kevin will be in Japan in a couple of weeks to help with the earthquake recovery as a private citizen.
I apologize for my ridicule of Jean, but she seems to think gossip and her disappointment at not being invited to consular events in Fukuoka entitle her to say whatever she wants to about my brother. As his "wombmate" I just couldn't let it slide, after seeing Jean's accusations again on this site.
11:52 am on May 19th, 2011 11
It is good to see that Kevin Maher at least landed somewhere after leaving State.
There are two sides to the story of what was said; but I felt that a positive part of the incident was that there seemed to be frank talk.
We are not getting enough of that out of State when it comes to Japan. It is a problem that goes back, well before the current administration. Probably back to the 1950′s . . .
http://nmvconsulting.com/NMV_Consulting/Maher.html
12:53 am on January 7th, 2012 12
[...] after the March 11th earthquake, the ROK Drop blog reported about Maher’s service during the disaster relief efforts. In the comment thread of [...]