Senate confirms diplomats for China, Japan

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate confirmed ambassadors to China and Japan in one of its last votes before adjourning for its August recess.

The Senate confirmed Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. as ambassador to China and Silicon Valley attorney and Democratic fundraiser John V. Roos as ambassador to Japan, CQ Quarterly reported Friday.

Huntsman, a Republican, served as a Mormon missionary in Taiwan and has an adopted daughter from China. He was ambassador to Singapore for former President George H.W. Bush.

Republican Lt. Gov. Gary Richard Herbert will succeed Huntsman as Utah's governor.