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New Year's Greeting |
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New Year’s Greeting From Consul General Junichi Ihara
January 1, 2010
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January 2010
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 Happy new year!
Last year, the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles was engaged in various activities. As the Japan America Society of Southern California celebrated its 100th anniversary, we were involved in numerous cultural and international exchange events relating to its centennial commemoration. Also, in an effort to make the most of my official residence, we hosted, for instance, Japan-related film screenings as well as many promotional events for Japanese foods, Japan’s environmental commitments, etc. With the Japanese and Japanese American communities, as well as other Asian, Hispanic and Jewish communities, we took part in a number of projects to foster and strengthen our ties. Throughout the course of these events, many people provided their generous support and cooperation. I would like to express my sincerest appreciation for them. |
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| In the new year, always keeping mind the priceless value of the support from the Japanese people and communities here, we will embark on a range of projects and continue to participate in many activities. I would like to introduce to you just a few of our major projects in 2010. |
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 Let’s begin with our brand new endeavor. The Consulates General of Israel, Mexico, and Japan will co-sponsor a series of cultural and multi-cultural activities including film screenings and outdoor programs. This trilateral project specifically features Boyle Heights, where the Jewish, Hispanic, and Japanese communities lived together in a peaceful, amicable manner in the early to mid-20th century. As a kick-off event, we are planning to hold a symposium on Boyle Heights, followed by a reception where we expect to introduce Japanese foods and cuisine. This will occur in February at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. The aim of this whole joint project is not just to cherish the good memories of old days, but to further strengthen the ties among the Jewish, Hispanic, and Japanese communities for the future. |
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 The year 2010 marks the 50th anniversary of the Japan-United States Security Treaty. In June, a training squadron of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces is scheduled to make a port call in San Diego. Targeting that commemorative occasion, preparations for various international exchange events are now underway with the cooperation of local Japan-related organizations as well as U.S. military officials. San Diego, the home port for the U.S. 3rd Fleet, is a pivotal marine base. In the city, there are many people who served at U.S. military bases in Japan or who have a Japanese spouse. It would be wonderful if we can open up and cultivate relationships with those people through the commemorative events of the 50th anniversary of the bilateral security relationship. |
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 On the environment front, we at the Consulate are going to be actively involved in an environment conference hosted by a local NPO in late January, and we’ll continue to promote Japan’s environmental technologies and Japan-U.S. cooperation in the environment arena. Furthermore, through various opportunities, we seek to publicize Japan’s policy commitments on environment issues, and also help support Japan’s environment business collaborating with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and others.
  Last December, we hosted the Emperor’s Birthday Reception and featured traditional Japanese culture and performances, including traditional gagaku court music, a modeling of a real junihitoe twelve-layered kimono, and tea ceremony. They were all very well received by our guests. Even more than the recent rise of pop culture, it was an eye-opening occasion for me to renew my recognition for the attractiveness and appeals of traditional Japanese arts and culture. We would like to continue to cooperate with the Japan Foundation as well as local cultural organizations to actively sponsor such cultural events.
It seems that this year, too, will be full of activity.
Thank you. |
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(C) Consulate General of
Japan in Los Angeles. All rights reserved. |
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