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2012 Delegates Arrive in Los Angeles for JALD Orientation

Click here to learn more about the 2012 Delegates and the Japanese American Leadership Delegation Program.

Save the Date for the 2012 U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference

October 4th - 7th, 2012 in Seattle, Washington

International Trade Reception at APEC 2011 in Honolulu, Hawai'i

The U.S.-Japan Council (USJC) and the APEC 2011 Hawai’i Host Committee co-hosted an international trade reception at the Bishop Museum on Friday to celebrate the continued strength of the U.S.-Japan relationship. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba, U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson, U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk and U.S. Senate President Pro Tempore Daniel K. Inouye all made remarks. Additionally, more than 600 leaders attended the reception including Minister Yukio Edano from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki, Congresswomen Mazie Hirono and Colleen Hanabusa, Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie, Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle and other officials. "Under President Obama, the U.S. has an increasingly stronger presence in the Asia Pacific region and I am extremely encouraged by that," said Noda at the reception. "Japan and the U.S. must partner in order to play a major role in the Asia Pacific Region."

USJC President Irene Hirano Inouye, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, Senator Daniel K. Inouye and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk

The U.S.-Japan Council and the APEC 2011 Hawai’i Host Committee co-hosted an international trade reception at the Bishop Museum on Friday, November 11th to celebrate the continued strength of the U.S.-Japan relationship. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba, U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and U.S. Senate President Pro Tempore Daniel K. Inouye all made remarks. Click here to download the report or click here for photos. The press release is available here.

Events

INNOVATE, EDUCATE, COLLABORATE: Moving Forward the U.S.-Japan Partnership

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2011 Annual Conference. Please continue to check the conference page for post-conference media.

The 2011 Annual Conference Report is now available for download.

US & Japan in the News

Japan PM Noda delays decision on trade pact

The Washington Post, 11/9/2011

Political Visions in Japan: Generational Warfare
Economist, 1/28/2012

Japan, U.S. Defense Chiefs Agree to Push for Futnema Relocation Plan
Mainichi Daily News, 1/27/2012

Japan Did Not Keep Records of Nuclear Disaster Meetings
BBC News, 1/27/2012

Kamei, Hiranuma, Ishihara to Launch Party in March
Japan Times, 1/27/2012

2012 Japanese American Leadership Delegation to Visit Tsunami Zone
Rafu Shimpo, 1/25/2012

E-Newsletter Archive

People News & Events

Higa Industries Reopens Wendy's in Japan

Wendy's has made its return to Japan, under the guidance of U.S.-Japan Council Board Member Ernest Higa. The fast food chain, which closed its 71 stores in 2009, marked its return with the opening of a restaurant in Tokyo's Omotesando neighborhood. Mr. Higa hopes that a combination of traditional menu items and new specialties will fuel an expansion to 100 locations within five years. Japan Today's interview with Mr. Higa about succeeding in the Japanese market can be found here.

Board of Councilors Member George Takei to Premiere in Internment Camp Musical, Allegiance

Actor and USJC Board of Councilors Member George Takei has announced the premiere of his next project. Allegiance - A New American Musical tells the original story of the Omura family, sent to an internment camp following the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Mr. Takei, best known for portraying Hikaru Sulu in the Star Trek television series and movies, has called the project "the culmination of my life's work." He has devoted much of his work to enhancing the understanding of the Asian American experience, including participating in Allegiance readings and workshops since 2009. Alliegiance debuts at San Diego's Old Globe Theatre on September 16, 2012. More information on the production is available at the Old Globe's website here.

VISION: A vibrant Asia Pacific region through engaged and interconnected communities committed to the U.S.-Japan relationship.