Inaugural  U.S.-Japan Council Hawaii Reception

Nearly 100 supporters of the U.S.-Japan Council attended the inaugural “Tsunageru” Hawaii Reception in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 25, 2010. The event was hosted by the First Hawaiian Bank. Attendees enjoyed delicious food and premium Japanese sake and beer at The Bankers Club in the First Hawaiian Center as they learned about the USJC’s vision and mission as well as important issues facing U.S.-Japan relations. The program featured Don Horner, Chairman/CEO of First Hawaiian Bank, USJC President Irene Hirano, and Senator Daniel K. Inouye, who delivered the keynote message underscoring the importance of building and strengthening U.S.-Japan relations.

In attendance were Consul General of Japan Yoshihiko Kamo and his wife, Etsuko, along with the Honorable Mazie Hirono, USJC Board members Hideki Hamamoto, Michael Hirai, Stephen Kagawa, and Colbert Matsumoto and a host of prominent AJA business leaders in Hawaii. Peter Ho, APEC 2011 Hawaii Host Committee Chair, Gregg Yamanaka, CEO, and Host Committee member, Randy Perreira were also in attendance.

USJC Board member and JALD alumni, Michael Hirai, led the Hawaii Reception Planning Committee supported by fellow JALD alumni Wendy Abe, Susan Eichor, and Mark Yamakawa. The event raised funds to support USJC activities.

JALD Alumni and Nikkei Leaders Gather in the Garden

The Oregon Nikkei Endowment (ONE) commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Japanese American Historical Plaza in Portland on July 30th with a rededication ceremony. USJC President Irene Hirano Inouye was the keynote speaker at the ONE dinner the next evening.

 USJC Trustee Sho Dozono of Portland used the opportunity of Irene's visit to gather former Portland Japanese American Leadership Delegation (JALD) alums along with other Nikkei leaders. Stephen Bloom, director of the world-renowned Portland Japanese Garden, hosted the gathering at a breakfast in Garden. Among those joining Dozono, Bloom and Inouye were JALD alums Charles Allcock, Kristin Dozono, Kirk Tambara, and Grant Yoshihara. Also joining the breakfast were Consul General Takemichi Okabe and Deputy Consul General Hirofumi Murabayashi.

Inouye discussed the US-Japan Council, the JALD program and the importance of building networks among the organizations and institution dedicated to fostering US-Japan relations. The Portland Japanese Garden is working in collaboration with other Japanese Gardens throughout the United States to share information and resources. The Garden has been host to many important dignitaries from Japan and is one of Portland's treasures.

 The Oregon Nikkei Endowment was established to support the Historical Plaza and the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center. The Legacy Center presents exhibitions on the Japanese American experience.

A Reception At The US Capitol Building, Hosted by Senator Inouye

On Monday, July 26th notable politicians, diplomats, business leaders, U.S.-Japan Council corporate sponsors and other distinguished guests gathered in the U.S. Capitol building for a reception hosted by Senator Inouye.

U.S.-Japan Council President Irene Hirano, together with Chairman Tom Iino addressed the attendees by providing and introduction to the The U.S.-Japan Council, highlighting the important role of Japanese American leaders in today's society. They also thanked the Council's supporters including representatives from new corporate sponsors, FedEx and General Dynamics.

Senator Inouye and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also addressed the attendees, emphasizing the importance of building lasting individual relationships in order to unite the two nations. Speaker Pelosi spoke fondly about her recent visit to Hiroshima to attend the G-8 Speakers Conference two years ago. She said it was special because many of the families of the Japanese and Japanese Americans who live in her district come from Hiroshima.

It was an honor to have Speaker Pelosi, Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, Congresswoman Doris Matsui and Secretary Eric Shinseki join us for the occasion. In addition, it was very special to see Ambassador John Roos, Ambassador Thomas Foley and Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki together at the event.

There was also a strong presence of Japanese business leaders present at the reception led by Takashi Ohde of the Japan Commerce Association of Washington, DC. Toyota Motor North America, Inc., Mitsui USA, Sumitomo Corporation of American, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, ITOCHU International, Inc., Mitsubishi International Corporation, Hitachi Ltd., Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and Toshiba America,Inc. were represented.

The U.S.-Japan Council is grateful to Senator Inouye for hosting the event and looks forward to seeing many of the reception attendees at the upcoming USJC Annual Conference in September.

Open Discussion with Japanese Business Leaders: Forum 21 Visit to Washington, DC

On July 16, 2010, the U.S.-Japan Council hosted a Study Group from Forum 21, which is researching National Security Issues.  Forum 21, founded by Shoichi Umezu, is a group of business executives who are selected by the Chairman or President of their companies to spend a year with other business executives in leadership development.  Forum 21 has been meeting annually with the Japanese American Leadership Delegations that travel to Japan.  In recent correspondence, Umezu remarked that “the exchange program with USJC has become very fruitful and an important event in which both participants can mutually share understanding on various issues.”

The program agenda for the Forum 21 group consisted of an opportunity to meet with Senator Daniel Inouye for lunch and a meeting with Japanese American leaders.  The group engaged in a lively discussion on US-Japan relations in the context of top three security issues: Military & Diplomatic Security, Energy Security and Food Security.  This was a unique opportunity for the Forum 21 study group to exchange opinions about U.S.-Japan relations and perceptions of Japan in the U.S. 

All participants agreed that this was a beginning of important dialogues that affect the Japanese economy and the perception of Japan in the world today.  The Forum 21 National Security Study Group will publish their findings, including the results from the July 16^th meeting, in November of this year.  They will submit their final report to the entire Forum 21 membership and the Government of Japan to provide recommendations for Japanese security issues in the future.   

Placido Domingo at the Broad Stage 

Mr. Bill Imada, CEO of IW Group Inc., hosted a joint event on May 21, 2010 with members of the U.S.-Japan Council and the Japan Business Association of Southern California (JBA) at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica to continue to forge strong ties between Japanese and Japanese Americans in the Los Angeles area.  It was a special performance evening as Placido Domingo conducted the LA Opera Orchestra and Domingo-Thornton Young Artists in a program of Zarzuela. 

The reception that followed allowed attendees to interact and everyone received a special treat when the Domingo-Thornton Young Artists joined the reception. 

Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Consul General Junichi Ihara, U.S.-Japan Council President Irene Hirano Inouye and JBA President Mr. Yuichi Okura, General Manager, Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ, Los Angeles Branch were the featured guests of the night, and during the closing reception each spoke about the significance of encouraging personal relations between the two attending organizations. 

New York Nikkei Reception

Ambassador Nishimiya and his wife hosted a reception at their residence on March 16 to promote further networking among Japanese Americans and to develop a vibrant Japanese American Community in the greater New York area, encouraging further interest and understanding towards Japan. Leaders of Japanese American organizations including the U.S.-Japan Council, the Japanese American National Museum, the Japanese American Citizens League, New York Nikkeijin kai, and the New York JET Alumni Association were in attendance. Other guests included Japanese Americans representing diverse professions including business, academia, government, NPO, media, and culture and arts.