Kevin Maher is the former head of the State Department's Office of Japan Affairs. He was replaced in the role after allegations he criticized Japan in some unguarded comments. He also appeared on FG a couple of years ago after an assailant threw hot coffee over him at a local Starbucks. Interestingly, he has a book out in Japanese called "The Japan That Can't Decide". The publisher's description claims the book lifts the lid on Japanese-American relations, including an account of Operation Tomodachi, details of dealings with the Kan administration and a section on the dispute over Futenma. There are likely to be several media pieces on the book after it is officially released on Friday but the Yomiuri has already picked up on one part (Japanese). Maher says that, in the early hours of March 16th, some US officials actively argued for an evacuation of all US citizens from Tokyo. Data from the Global Hawk unmanned drone suggested a meltdown was underway at Fukushima, and the Japanese government's decision to leave TEPCO in charge of the situation there did not inspire confidence. Maher says he forcefully opposed the suggestion on the grounds it could create panic as well as seriously undermining relations with Japan.
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