Past Greetings from Consul General Jun Niimi

Good morning, Councilman Kevin Faulconer, Chariman Lou Smith, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. I’m happy to be here to join this dedication of cherry trees, which commemorates not only the National Cherry Blossom Centennial, but the lasting friendship between Japan and, specifically, San Diego. I’m especially pleased that the weather has turned out so nice.

A couple weeks ago at the Japanese Friendship Garden, the heavy rain kept some people from attending the cherry blossom festival. So I’m going to recycle of my speaking points. I hope that those of you who were there don’t mind.

Just before the current cherry blossom season, Japan and all its overseas missions were very busy with memorial events for the Great East Japan Earthquake. Not only was my schedule full, but also my heart and mind, as I remembered everything that happened just one year ago.

Since I arrived in L.A. last October, I’ve learned that Southern California and Japan have a very deep and special bond. Here in San Diego, we’re connected through business, academics, sister cities, and the friendship between the Japan SDF and U.S. Navy. Mostly, we are united by community. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your tireless and selfless assistance to Japan this past year and more. Thanks to your material support as well as your outpouring of encouragement, Japan is back on its feet and getting stronger, day by day. I invite you to come to Japan. Witness our revival and rebirth. Experience our hospitality. Enjoy our delicious food, traditional culture, and beautiful sights.

Of course, one of the most beautiful times to go to Japan is at this time of year, when the cherry trees, or sakura, are in bloom. It’s an amazing sight. Japanese people love to picnic under the blooming branches.  We have a special affinity for the delicate sakura blossoms.

Moreover, they have also come to symbolize the Japan – U.S. friendship.  Each year, thousands of people come to Washington, D.C. to see the cherry blossoms.  This year, we commemorate the original planting 100 years ago with new plantings across the U.S.  San Diego was chosen in the National Cherry Blossom Tree Planting Initiative because of its special ties to Japan. As we water and nurture these trees, we are reminded to do the same with the Japan – U.S. relationship.  When they bloom – more and more each year – we can celebrate our growth and success.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Unified Port of San Diego, the U.S.S. Midway Museum, and all organizations involved, for their efforts to coordinate this planting and this afternoon’s Sakura Festival.  I’d also like to thank the Huntington Library for partnering with the National Cherry Blossom tree planting by providing some of the cherry trees.  I hope that the pink cloud trees planted here around Tuna Park and the Friendship Bell will grow deep roots and produce many beautiful flowers for the people of San Diego to enjoy.  Thank you.

One year ago, an earthquake with a seismic magnitude of 9.0 suddenly struck northeastern Japan. The resulting tsunami, with waves as high as 60 feet, brought about devastating damage in the region; 15,854 precious lives were lost and 3,274 remain missing. This March 11th marks the one year commemoration of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

In response to the disaster, Japan received a great deal of generous support from around the world. Especially from the United States, the out-pouring of sympathy and assistance came immediately. Our consulate was flooded with phone calls from people in Southern California offering help and expressing their condolences. The Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue team was deployed, and a large amount of relief funds were raised by many local organizations and individuals. In Japan, the U.S. military mobilized over 20,000 personnel and some 20 vessels, including the USS Ronald Reagan, in a large-scale relief effort called "Operation: Tomodachi" immediately after the earthquake. What an encouragement this must have been to those who had been isolated and unable to vacate the disaster areas due to the severed lines of transportation. Even today, we continue to receive generous support from the U.S. through projects such as the Tomodachi Initiative, a public-private partnership led by the U.S. Government and the U.S. – Japan Council. We wish to express our deepest gratitude for the warmth you have shown us.

Although Japan and the United States have for many years enjoyed a great friendship, the signs of solidarity and support from the U.S. since the earthquake and tsunami have been deeply engraved in our hearts. In the annual Japanese national poll released in October of last year, the percentage of Japanese people who felt affinity with the U.S. was recorded at 82% – an all-time high since the poll was initiated in 1978. This strengthened Japan-U.S. relationship is one of the silver linings brought about by this tragic disaster, and it is my sincere hope that our two countries will continue to grow closer.

A year after the disaster, Japan has made steady progress. The Japanese government is exerting maximum efforts fiscally, legislatively and politically. For example, we passed four supplementary budgets (totaling over US$240 billion) and established the Reconstruction Agency, headed by the Prime Minister himself. 

It is truly regrettable that the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station caused a leakage of radioactivity and forced the evacuation of many residents. Every effort has been made to settle the accident; we reached a condition equivalent to cold shutdown (core reactor temperature under 212ºF), bringing it to a conclusion last December. Additionally, the operation of all of 54 nuclear reactors in Japan will be suspended until they are cleared by careful reviews, including strict inspections endorsed by the IAEA.

In order to preserve health and safety, we continue the decontamination of areas polluted by radiation. Having established a system of strict measurement and regulations regarding radiation levels, we are reassessing restricted areas and ascertaining the safety of our food products for sale and consumption. By promptly providing accurate information on safety to the public, we hope that foreign visitors will continue to enjoy Japan and see for themselves the beautiful scenery and rich culture that remains unchanged. Last August, my family and I traveled to Tochigi Prefecture, which borders Fukushima. The trip was quite comfortable and wonderful. Japan is indeed open for business, study and tourism.

Drawing on the valuable lessons learned from the earthquake and its aftermath, Japan aims to reinvent as even more resistant against natural disasters, as we have always endeavored. We find it our duty to work hand in hand with the rest of the world to develop effective preventive measures and share Japan’s experience and advanced technologies. We believe that such technology will be beneficial to other earthquake-prone regions, including California. For example, when the Great East Japan Earthquake struck, all 27 bullet trains under operation in the area automatically and safely stopped, thanks to Japan’s leading earthquake safety systems. Not a single person was injured. This is the result of our tireless efforts to develop anti-seismic technology.

“A friend in need is a friend indeed.” After the earthquake, we truly felt strong bonds, or kizuna, with the rest of the world. To return the overflow of kindness and support we have received from the international community, Japan is determined to assist and collaborate with those facing similar challenges.  Arigato!

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.  Thank you for being here this evening.

Last year, March 11 was just another Friday, until the earthquake and tsunami changed everything.   I was in Tokyo, working in my office in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when the shaking began.  Instead of the usual short and jolting shakes most Japanese are accustomed to, this time the shaking was wide and slow.  The glass in my office window cracked.  I soon realized that this was something extraordinary.  When the shaking finally stopped, we switched on the TV; the live reports and scenes from Tohoku sent us into shock and left us speechless.  We felt utterly powerless against the destructive force of nature.

But we were not left alone.  Messages from around the world encouraged us and gave us hope.  One of the earliest reports of overseas relief efforts was from Los Angeles.  As a Japanese citizen – not a diplomat – I was very impressed and very grateful that people so far away would do so much.

Back then I never imagined I’d be sent to L.A., but tonight I am sincerely honored by this opportunity to stand before you all, to share how touched I was those days, and to express my deep, deep gratitude for everything you’ve done.  Thank you so much.

There was tremendous support for Japan in response to the earthquake, from around the world.  Especially right after the earthquake, the U.S. military mobilized 24 thousand personnel and 24 vessels, including the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier, to come alongside Japan SDF and local Japanese citizens in “Operation: Tomodachi.” 

From here in Southern California, the L.A. County Fire Department sent its elite Urban Search and Rescue team, deploying less than 24 hours after the disaster.  Thank you for sending these local heroes to be heroes in Japan.  And thank you to those who could make it here tonight.

On top of this:  The Japan America Society created their relief fund the day of the earthquake.  City Council members stood outside Los Angeles City Hall to collect drive-by donations to the Red Cross.  Riverside sent a delegation, including the honorable Mayor Loveridge, who is here tonight, to its sister city, Sendai.  Schools sent sets of 1,000 cranes along with supportive messages from students.  Local community members held charity concerts and grassroots fundraisers.  Los Angeles’ diverse ethnic communities supported Japan by fundraising at their cultural festivals. Countless individuals made direct donations to the various aid agencies.  And on and on.  From Southern California alone, it felt like the world came to Japan’s aid.  We are so, so very grateful to our friends here and throughout the United States.

There is a Japanese saying that expresses how we feel about the outpouring of love and assistance: 心に深く刻み込まれた。The rough translation is that the memory of such warm-hearted support is deeply engraved in the hearts of Japanese people.

According to a poll conducted by the Japanese PM’s office in October of last year, the number of Japanese people who felt affinity with Americans was recorded at 82% -- an all-time high since survey recording began in 1978. On behalf of everyone in Japan, I would again like to offer our sincerest thanks to the American people for their support.

There is still a long way to go until full recovery, but we are back on our feet.  And we are moving forward.  Step by step.  We are getting stronger, day by day. 

And it’s greatly thanks to you.  For your support.  For your friendship.  For your love. Words cannot express the depth of gratitude we Japanese feel.  Tonight’s performers will do their best to show – through drumming, music, and spirit – that Japan is alive and well.  And we want to say, ARIGATO.

Happy New Year!

I would like to thank you all for your support for the various activities we engaged in last year.  

In the wake of the unprecedented devastation of the Great East Japan Earthquake last March, the tremendous support we received from all over the world made us realize the strong bond between Japan and the rest of the world. I would like to express my deepest gratitude especially to all of you from Southern California and Arizona. Thank you.

For many Japanese, the earthquake also provided an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of Japan-U.S. relations, as we received a great amount of relief and the warmest friendship from the American people and government. As a result, the latest poll in Japan shows that Japanese people’s affinity toward the United States is the highest in the past 10 years (82% of population feels a sense of affinity toward the U.S).

In order to further strengthen the bond between our two countries, the consulate is planning to engage in various community events and the promotion of Japanese culture, especially 2012, which is the centennial anniversary of the gift of cherry blossom trees to Washington, D.C. from Tokyo. To commemorate the centennial, many events will be held all over the country; the Los Angeles consulate is preparing for cherry blossom tree plantings in Los Angeles and San Diego.  

Today, Japan is doing everything possible for the earliest recovery of the economy, social infrastructure, and way of life in the devastated communities. In Southern California and Arizona, the earthquake also affected many Japanese businesses. This year, in order for us to support Japanese companies to continue their development and expansion, we plan to strengthen our efforts to promote the positive aspects of Japan and to attract foreign interest.  

Since I arrived back in October, I have been fortunate to meet many people on various occasions. It was a pleasure for me to find that many of them are passionate about Japan and work very hard to improve Japan – U.S. relations. Meeting with these people made me realize how fortunate I am to serve as the Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles, and how large a responsibility I have. 

As we enter the New Year, I renew my conviction to devote myself to my duties as Consul General. As always, I truly appreciate your continuing support and understanding to the Consulate General of Japan, Los Angeles.

I wish you all happy and prosperous year 2012.