Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Alex | Email Tina Welcome to POLITICO’s West Wing Playbook, your guide to the people and power centers in the Biden administration. With help from Allie Bice. It may not be final, but RAHM EMANUEL is actively preparing for an ambassadorship post to Japan by gobbling up Japanese news and meeting with foreign policy experts. According to multiple sources familiar with the process as well as published reports, the former congressman, White House chief of staff, political adviser, commentator, author, sender of revenge fish and controversial two-time Chicago mayor is poised to be President JOE BIDEN’S pick for the ambassadorship. But a White House official cautioned on Wednesday that, “no one is final until they’re announced.” There are rumblings that an announcement will come soon, although the White House would not confirm that. It will undoubtedly draw pushback. Previous reports that Emanuel was under consideration for various posts in the Biden administration prompted progressive outrage, primarily focused on his handling of the 2014 murder of 17-year-old LAQUAN McDONALD by a Chicago policeman. Emanuel made public the gruesome dashcam footage only after a judge ordered city attorneys to release it. That and his highly partisan history could complicate his confirmation in the narrowly divided Senate. Emanuel, however, is proceeding as though he’s Tokyo-bound. He has been meeting with IVO DAALDER — president of the Chicago Council on Foreign Affairs and a former U.S. ambassador to NATO — who has organized briefings for him with experts on Japan’s economy, military, national security and U.S.-Japan affairs. And he’s met with RICHARD HAASS, president of the Council on Foreign Relations. Emanuel is also talking to MICHAEL GREEN at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, according to someone with direct knowledge of Emanuel’s preparation. Green is also the director of Asian studies at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. Green served in the National Security Council from 2001 until 2005, specializing in Asian affairs. There are also frequent meetings with JOSEPH NYE, former assistant secretary of Defense for international security affairs under President BILL CLINTON . In addition to those meetings, Emanuel, who consumes a heap of newspapers before the sun comes out, is prepping by reading Japanese press. “He's just been getting translated Japanese news every day — tons — and just devouring all the Japanese press and studying,” the source with direct knowledge said. “The foreign policy information in their local press but also national security, local issues, and just really getting steeped in it in preparation.” Emanuel declined to comment on the ambassadorship or his preparation. Many close to Emanuel say they’re not surprised he’s interested in the post. He’s preternaturally incapable of settling down in a slow-paced, cushy job. He remains drawn to public service, and he has embraced professional challenges in every iteration of his life. Ambassador to Japan wasn’t Emanuel’s first choice. His preferred gig — transportation secretary — went to PETE BUTTIGIEG. But it’s a prestigious nomination that gets him squarely back into the upper echelons of federal government; that is, if he’s confirmed. Japan is no stranger to political appointees nabbing ambassadorships. Former Senate Majority Leader MIKE MANSFIELD, former Vice President WALTER MONDALE, former Speaker of the House TOM FOLEY and former first daughter CAROLINE KENNEDY are among the list of former U.S. ambassadors to Japan. And Emanuel’s ties to the Biden administration would prove useful should he end up in Tokyo. He remains close to the president and his three top aides, RON KLAIN, STEVE RICCHETTI and BRUCE REED. His assignment would signal to Japan that they will have access to Biden heavy hitters at a time when good relations with the country is one of the administration’s top priorities (Japanese Prime Minister YOSHIHIDE SUGA was the first head of state to meet with Biden in person). But there’s apparently some concern over Emanuel — and his colorful vocabulary and sharp elbows— taking over the high-profile role. “There certainly are quiet concerns that are being whispered,” Brett Bruen, a former diplomat who served in the Obama administration, said. “Nobody’s going to come out from the Japanese government and want to offend the Biden administration, but I think they worry that he will step into some minefields, and potentially onto some mines.” Do you work in the Biden administration? Are you in touch with the White House? Are you BECCA RINKEVICH? We want to hear from you — and we’ll keep you anonymous: westwingtips@politico.com. Or if you want to stay really anonymous send us a tip through SecureDrop, Signal, Telegram, or Whatsapp here. | 
