U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy (59) departed Narita Airport on the afternoon of Jan. 18 on her way back to the United States, having left her post in advance of the inauguration of the incoming Trump administration. Right before boarding her plane, she waved to the press and said, “See you again!”

Kennedy arrived at Narita Airport wearing a coat and accompanied by embassy staff. At the airport, she told the press, “I’m very sorry to leave. I’ll miss Japan.”

Kennedy took up the post of ambassador in November 2013. She assisted in bringing about U.S. President Barack Obama’s historic visit to Hiroshima and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Pearl Harbor. In her farewell video message to the Japanese people, she said, “Even though I will be leaving, I don’t have to say good-bye.”