Kennedy was the nominee of President Barack Obama to be Ambassador to Japan. On July 24, 2013, Obama announced Kennedy as his nominee to succeed current Ambassador John Roos. Kennedy was confirmed by the Senate on October 16, 2013 and Kennedy became the first female American ambassador to Japan. The prospective nomination was first reported in February 2013 and, in mid-July 2013, formal diplomatic agreement was reportedly received from the Japanese government. She assumed her ambassador duties on November 13, 2013.