The Senate confirmed former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel as U.S. ambassador to Japan in a middle-of-the night vote early Saturday that saw eight Republicans backing his nomination and three Democrats voting against. Emanuel, who also served as White House chief of staff for then-President Barack Obama, was confirmed after Senators voted 48–21 with Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore) opposing his nomination. Supporters of his candidacy backed Emanuel for the Tokyo post because of his long record in public service at a time when Washington is looking to Asian allies like Japan to help check China’s regional ambitions. Japan Times reported that Emanuel’s nomination is expected to be met with strong approval by Japanese officials, citing the former Chicago mayor’s close relationship with President Joe Biden as potentially providing a direct line to the White House. Among the Republicans who voted to confirm Emanuel was …