 His resignation was at the time controversial, and American newspapers reported on his months-long efforts to be released from his post by the U.S. Department of State.Anderson returned to the diplomatic corps in 1911 as U.S. Minister to Belgium, serving from November 18, 1911 until November 15, 1912, when he was appointed Ambassador to Japan.He held this post as a fully accredited and confirmed American ambassador for only day, March 3, 1913, though he was in Japan from December 28, 1912, until his return to the U.S. on March 16, 1913.