On January 13, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi met with eight Japanese American leaders in San Francisco in order to learn more about Japanese Americans and discuss ways that Japan can further engage and collaborate with them. Foreign Minister Motegi shared his recognition of the struggles faced by the Japanese American community during World War II and commended the community for overcoming these obstacles in order to become valuable contributors within the United States, as well as agents of soft diplomacy for the U.S.-Japan relationship. The Japanese American leaders had the opportunity to ask questions and share their thoughts with Foreign Minister Motegi.
USJC members in attendance included Board Member Tasha Yorozu (JALD ’16), Member of the USJC Board of Councilors and SVJP Co-Chair Daniel Okimoto, Council Leaders Gary Mukai and Leroy Morishita, and USJC Senior Vice President Kaz Maniwa (JALD ’00). The meeting was chaired by Consul General Tomochika Uyama.