U.S.-Japan relations

Oct

2026

Abandoned No More: How an Atheist Diplomat Became an Ambassador for Christ

My conversation with Marcus Peter on faith, identity, and the God who never leaves

I was raised without faith, and I fully expected to stay that way.

I grew up in Arizona with a Japanese mother and an American father. My father was agnostic, and my mother came from the Shinto and Buddhist traditions. Our dinner table was a place for philosophy, not religion. I attended a Jesuit high school, where Scripture was required reading, and I walked away unconvinced. A virgin birth? Three persons in one God? To me, religion looked like a tool people used to manipulate each other, and Catholicism was the last place I thought I would ever end up.

I recently shared how that changed in a radio interview with host Marcus Peter. If you haven’t heard it yet, I’d love for you to listen.

🎧 Listen to the interview: I Was a US Diplomat, Now I’m an Ambassador for Christ

📖 Get your copy of Abandoned No More: An Ambassador of Christ

Learning love from a Buddhist grandmother

Some of my most formative summers were spent in Japan with my grandmother, a devout Buddhist who spoke no English. I joined her at the family grave, cleaning the headstone, laying flowers, and paying respects to my grandfather. She kept a saying in her home: one unkind word can wound the spirit, and one kind word can light up a person’s whole being.

She was never a Christian, yet she lived like a saint. She showed me what unconditional love looks and feels like, long before I had words for who that love ultimately comes from. That is one of the central messages of my story: God can work through anyone, including people of other faiths, to reach a searching heart.

Hardship, loss, and an unexpected Bible

My career as a U.S. diplomat took me to Taiwan, Nigeria, and Beijing, China among other destinations. Along the way I faced real hardship and saw death up close. I also lost people dear to me, including my grandmother, who passed away while I was posted in Beijing.

It was there, in Beijing, China, home to the largest atheist population in the world, that something shifted. I was studying Mandarin, and a friend had given me a Bible in both Mandarin and Japanese. As a diplomat, language skills matter, so I decided to read it cover to cover purely as a study tool. I was studying Mandarin, and a friend had given me a Bible in both Mandarin and Japanese. As a diplomat, language skills matter, so I decided to read it cover to cover purely as a study tool.

It turned out to be much more than that. The words reached my heart, and I could no longer stay on the sidelines. Looking back, I can see how God had been working through friends, teachers, priests, and family all along. Even when I was running the other way, he never abandoned me.

You don’t have to leave yourself behind

One of the things I’m most passionate about is this: coming to Christ does not mean giving up who you are. In Japan, fewer than 2% of people are Christian, and many fear that embracing the faith means abandoning their culture, heritage, or values. I don’t believe that’s true. Christ takes all of who you are, your background, your language, and your story, and gathers it into something greater.

That conviction is also why my book is not meant to pressure anyone. Faith has to be voluntary. After decades of searching myself, I know that God’s timing is not ours, and that patience is one of the most important gifts we can offer one another.

Peace begins with patience

In our conversation, we also talked about what diplomacy looks like through the eyes of faith. Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9). Peace requires dialogue, dialogue requires tolerance, and tolerance requires patience and humility. We are not here to control or change one another. We are here to accept who we are, respect each other, and let God do his work.

Why I wrote Abandoned No More

“You could be an atheist. You could be in the largest atheist population in the world, and God can still touch you. He can still find a way. The light can still shine in.”

Governments can abandon you. Companies can abandon you. Friends and even family can abandon you. God does not.

That is the heart of Abandoned No More: An Ambassador for Christ. It is my personal conversion story, and also a testament to second chances and to living with purpose beyond borders. If you’ve ever felt overlooked, far from home, or unsure whether faith has a place for you, I wrote this book with you in mind.

📖 Get your copy at your favorite retailer: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, or Books A Million

What’s next: a friendship with a Japanese town

I’m currently writing my next book, which will be published in both English and Japanese. It tells the story of my friendship with Wakasa Town in Japan, whose mayor is a Shinto priest and has welcomed the perspective of a Catholic friend. It is a story of how people of different faiths can learn from one another with openness and respect.

Stay tuned for more news on the release.

A closing request

If you take one thing from this conversation, let it be this: God’s plan is always greater than ours, and kindness matters. I still have a great deal to learn, and I ask humbly for your prayers, as I will keep you and your family in mine.

Thank you for listening, for reading, and for being part of this amazing journey. God bless you and your families.

Ken Reiman
Author of Abandoned No More: An Ambassador of Christ

Oct

2026

After the Governorship: Why Former Governors Still Matter to U.S.-Japan Relations

With the governor of Yamata — Reconnecting with former Yamagata Governor Saito Hiroshi.

Diplomacy doesn’t stop when the curtain falls. A new chapter begins.

I was glad to sit down recently with former Governor of Yamagata Saito Hiroshi in Washington, DC. It was a good reminder that the people who shape an economy and its relationships don’t stop doing so when their term ends.

Why governors matter

Governors, past and present, play an important role in guiding an economy and strengthening relationships. They connect national policy to local reality: attracting investment, supporting local industry, and building the person-to-person ties that outlast any single administration. Governor Saito has been a long-time partner and friend of both the U.S. and Japan, and his experience and perspective remain a real asset to the leaders and organizations he supports on both sides of the Pacific.

A conversation worth having

A sustained relationship based on mutual respect and trust, rather than a transactional one, remains key. Deals and agreements matter, but they rest on something less visible: the confidence that comes from knowing who is on the other side of the table, and knowing they will be there tomorrow.

That kind of confidence is not built in a single meeting or a single administration. It is an ongoing process, worth every effort to maintain. It means showing up consistently, listening before asking, and staying in touch when there is nothing immediate to negotiate.

The strength of an alliance is only as strong as the bonds formed between people. Policies and agreements are drafted by governments, but they are carried out by individuals, and the personal relationships behind them are what help an alliance weather disagreement, change, and uncertainty. Conversations like this one with Governor Saito are a reminder of that.

Looking ahead

The U.S.-Japan relationship will keep evolving, as will the people who shape it. What should not change is the commitment to listen, to show up, and to invest in one another. Thank you, Saito-san, for the time and the great conversation. I look forward to many more.

Aug

2026

Diplomacy Over Sunset: Welcoming Santani Resort’s CEO to Wakasa Town

Sunset over Wakasa Bay felt like the perfect welcome.

Last week, Wakasa Town welcomed Vickum Nagamuwage, CEO of Santani Resort, Sri Lanka’s renowned wellness resort brand, and I was honored to help make the visit happen. From taking in views like this along the coast to exploring what makes this region special, it was a meaningful first step in exploring how Wakasa’s natural beauty, hospitality, and wellness potential can connect with Santani’s vision for holistic, restorative travel, and the broader opportunity for international business development between Japan and Sri Lanka.

A Town Open to the World

More and more people are realizing that Wakasa Town is open for business and welcomes visitors from around the world, not just Japan, to enjoy what locals have known for centuries: absolute beauty. This visit was a small but meaningful step in sharing that with a wider audience, and in exploring what it might look like to build something lasting between two places that, on the surface, couldn’t seem more different, yet share a deep appreciation for nature, hospitality, and restoration.

Diplomacy as a Business Asset

If there’s one thing this experience reaffirmed for me, it’s this: diplomacy is a skill and an asset that applies in every facet of business and life, because its foundation is trust. When you build relationships on trust and integrity, people call on you again and again, because they know those relationships are built to last. It’s not about a single transaction or a single visit, it’s about showing up consistently, listening carefully, and treating every connection as one worth nurturing for the long term.

That’s the role I hope to keep playing: not just facilitating a single introduction, but building bridges that can carry real weight over time.

Looking Ahead

Looking forward to more partnerships to come, between Japan, the U.S. and the world.

Jul

2026

It’s Never Too Late: My First Time Trying Kendo

I never imagined at 24 I would become a U.S. diplomat and travel the world. I never thought at 42 I would publish my first book, and then a second, six years later. At 48, I never imagined I would write an original song in both English and Japanese for a rural town. And today, I had the honor of trying, for the first time, the Japanese martial art of Kendo.

The invitation came from the Mikata High School Kendo Team, and I said yes before I fully understood what I was getting myself into. I arrived at the gymnasium not entirely sure what to expect, and left with a completely different appreciation for the discipline, history, and physicality behind this centuries-old martial art.

Stepping Into the Dojo

The team welcomed me warmly, fitting me with the bogu, the traditional armor: the do (chest protector), the men (helmet with its steel grille), and the kote (padded gloves). It’s heavier than it looks, and once it’s on, you understand immediately why posture and breathing matter so much in this sport.

Training alongside me were students preparing for a national tournament, guided by a 7th-degree Kendo master whose calm authority filled the entire gym. Watching the students practice, their strikes landing with incredible speed, strength, and precision, was humbling. Every motion, from footwork to the shout that accompanies a strike, is refined through years of repetition.

What Kendo Taught Me

I learned two things today.

First, there is no age where learning stops. New adventures are always available as long as we keep an open mind and embrace new challenges. Whether it’s stepping into a dojo for the first time or picking up a new skill later in life, growth doesn’t have an expiration date.

Second, Kendo teaches discipline, focus, and the ability to act with total commitment in a single moment. There’s no hesitation in a real strike; commitment has to be total, or it doesn’t land. Those same principles carry from the dojo straight into the executive boardroom: clarity of purpose, decisiveness, and the willingness to fully commit to a decision once it’s made.

Looking Ahead

I can’t wait to see what comes next, and to keep training with these future leaders. Watching young people pursue mastery with such seriousness and joy is a reminder that tradition and ambition aren’t mutually exclusive; they can, and often do, walk hand in hand.

Thank you again to the Mikata High School Kendo Team for the generosity of welcoming a complete beginner into your training, and for sharing a piece of Japanese culture and discipline that I won’t soon forget.

Jul

2026

A Fellow Diplomat, A Shared Vision: Meeting the Governor of Fukui

It was a genuine honor to meet Governor Takato Ishida of Fukui Prefecture and spend an afternoon exchanging views on strengthening international partnerships, education, and rural revitalization.

As it turns out, we have more in common than a shared interest in Fukui’s future. Governor Ishida is a fellow Georgetown alum and, like me, spent time as a diplomat before this next chapter of his career. There’s something remarkable about sitting across the table from someone who has walked a similar path: years abroad, representing your country, learning to navigate different cultures and institutions, and eventually finding a new way to serve.

Our conversation over lunch was meaningful. We talked about what it takes to prepare the next generation of Japanese leaders: not just technical skills, but a genuinely global mindset, strong language ability, and real international exposure. Rural prefectures like Fukui face a particular challenge here. The talent and ambition exist, but the pathways to global engagement aren’t always as visible or accessible as they are in Tokyo or Osaka.

Governor Ishida’s own background, a diplomat who chose to return home and lead at the prefectural level, is a compelling example of what’s possible when local roots and global experience come together. I left our lunch with real optimism about Fukui’s future.

I wish him great success as he works to equip young people here with the tools to strive beyond the borders of the U.S. and Japan.

Jan

2026

U.S.–Japan Relations in 2026: Engaging Future Japanese Leaders

Looking toward 2026, I was inspired to engage with emerging Japanese leaders at the prefectural and municipal levels, including a Vice Governor, a Prefectural Assembly Member and son of the Prime Minister, and a Mayor, all committed to advancing U.S.–Japan relations at the grassroots level.

Sep

2025

Freedom of Speech

Free speech keeps societies alive.

It allows ideas to be shared, perspectives to be challenged, and understanding to grow.

In the United States, the First Amendment protects expression and peaceful assembly.
In Japan, Article 21 guarantees freedom of speech and prohibits censorship.

Different histories — shared principle.

Across cultures, the ability to speak, listen, and question is not merely legal protection; it is the foundation of resilient communities.

Societies endure not because they agree on everything, but because they allow disagreement to exist peacefully.

Margaret Brennan, host of CBS Face the Nation, standing with the author. — With Margaret Brennan, host of CBS Face the Nation.

Sep

2025

Japan, Immigration, and the Future Workforce

I recently had the privilege of meeting Dr. Arai Takashi — a longtime China analyst, former CSIS Japan Fellow, and researcher affiliated with the Tokyo Institute of Technology — to discuss immigration policy and foreign community integration in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Japan faces a historic demographic challenge: a rapidly aging society and declining population. While automation, AI, and robotics will help mitigate labor shortages, technology alone cannot fully address workforce gaps. Immigration policy and successful integration of foreign residents will play an increasingly central role in Japan’s economic sustainability.

Dr. Arai recently participated in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Yokohama and is conducting research on Japan’s relations with the Middle East — regions that may become increasingly relevant in future migration and labor partnerships.

Our discussion reinforced a growing reality: Japan’s long-term prosperity will depend not only on innovation, but also on its openness to people.

His remarkable personal library — only a fraction visible behind us — reflects decades of research dedicated to understanding global demographic change and international cooperation.

Discussion with Japanese policy researcher on immigration and aging population workforce challenges in Japan. — Discussing immigration, demographics, and workforce challenges in Japan with Dr. Arai Takashi.

Dec

2020

Letters to My Wife: New Book out in Japanese

My new book is out in Japanese and English, dedicated to my wife of 11 years. I decided what better way to honor her than to write a letter to her every weekend and publish a book in her honor in Japanese and Engish. Available for purchase here:

The title of the book is:

照れくさい手紙が嫌いな妻へ: 52通の、ありがとう

To My Wife Who Hates Embarassing Letters: 52 Letters of Thanks

本の紹介：

妻との11年目の結婚生活へ向けての1年間、毎週土曜日に妻へ手紙を書くことにした。本作は、妻と子と、神に対するあふれんばかりの感謝を込めた52通の手紙を収めたものである。それぞれの手紙は11年の結婚生活を記念して11文で構成されている。妻をどれだけ愛しているか、妻に対してどう感じているのか、彼の気持ちを彼女に伝えるのに、あと10年待ってからでは遅すぎる。彼は書いた。手紙は夫婦の絆を深めうるということに彼は気付いたのだ。手紙を書くことで、彼の心に彼女が広がり、感謝の気持ちが湧いてくる。週末ごとに、彼はそんな特別な方法で夫婦として繋がることができた。まだ小さくて活発な、二人の男の子（7歳のジョンと4歳のマックス）の共働きの親として、お互いに自分の時間の確保が難しい日々。彼が土曜日の朝に書き続けたこの手紙は、苦楽を共にしてくれた妻へ感謝を表すと共に、妻が彼にとってどれだけ特別な存在か再確認する機会となった。絵理子は彼の愛する妻であり、友人であり、同僚でもある。

After 10 years of marriage, I decided to write a letter to my wife each Saturday of the week for an entire year. This was the start of 52 letters to my wife. Each letter is composed of 11 sentences to commemorate 11 years of marriage. The letters touch upon themes of family, faith, and children. I simply wanted to express how I felt about my wife and I did not want to wait another 10 years to tell her how much I love her. I learned that a simple letter could strengthen our relationship further. I could express my feelings more intimately. It allowed her access into my heart and feel appreciated. We were able to connect each weekend as a married couple in a special way. As the busy parents of two young, energetic boys (John aged 7 and Max aged 4), we often do not have time for ourselves let alone each other. My Saturday morning letter writing ritual gave me an opportunity to express my gratitude and carve out a space to let the person who has been by my side through ups and downs know how special she is to me. I am truly blessed to have a loving wife and friend and confidant. Sending you 52 letters with love.

Jul

2020

Dual Citizens Bring Nations Closer

Dual citizens bring nations closer. I argue this in my book LoveBothKeepBoth: Passport to Peace, Prosperity and Strengthened Diplomacy. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson agree. The couple officially became dual citizens this week by obtaining Greek citizenship. Congratulations!

U.S.-Japan relations

Abandoned No More: How an Atheist Diplomat Became an Ambassador for Christ

Learning love from a Buddhist grandmother

Hardship, loss, and an unexpected Bible

You don’t have to leave yourself behind

Peace begins with patience

Why I wrote Abandoned No More

What’s next: a friendship with a Japanese town

A closing request

After the Governorship: Why Former Governors Still Matter to U.S.-Japan Relations

Why governors matter

A conversation worth having

Looking ahead

Diplomacy Over Sunset: Welcoming Santani Resort’s CEO to Wakasa Town

A Town Open to the World

Diplomacy as a Business Asset

Looking Ahead

It’s Never Too Late: My First Time Trying Kendo

Stepping Into the Dojo

What Kendo Taught Me

Looking Ahead

A Fellow Diplomat, A Shared Vision: Meeting the Governor of Fukui

U.S.–Japan Relations in 2026: Engaging Future Japanese Leaders

Freedom of Speech

Japan, Immigration, and the Future Workforce

Letters to My Wife: New Book out in Japanese

照れくさい手紙が嫌いな妻へ: 52通の、ありがとう

To My Wife Who Hates Embarassing Letters: 52 Letters of Thanks

Dual Citizens Bring Nations Closer

Dual citizens bring nations closer. I argue this in my book LoveBothKeepBoth: Passport to Peace, Prosperity and Strengthened Diplomacy. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson agree. The couple officially became dual citizens this week by obtaining Greek citizenship. Congratulations!

Using this occasion to share one of my favorite Tom Hank’s quotes: “If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. It’s the hard that makes it great.”

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