US News

Caroline eyed for diplo post

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration wants Caroline Kennedy to be the next US ambassador to Japan, according to several reports.

Kennedy, 55, is the heir to an American political dynasty, but a novice diplomat compared with some of the Washington heavyweights who’ve occupied that prestigious outpost, such as former Vice President Walter Mondale, former House Speaker Tom Foley and ex-Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield.

Kennedy, an early supporter of President Obama who has been the front-runner for the Japan job for months, has not yet been officially named to the post.

White House spokesman Jay Carney would not confirm that Kennedy was offered the job, saying he had “no personnel announcement to make.”

He dodged questions about whether Kennedy, daughter of assassinated President John F. Kennedy, was qualified for the ambassadorship.