Prime Minister Noda at G20 Summit
In June, Prime Minister Noda attended the G20 Summit in Los Cabos, Mexico where world leaders signed the Los Cabos Action Plan for Growth and Employment. Prime Minister Noda also held bilateral summit meetings with the presidents of Russia and Indonesia. For more information visit:
MOFA
G20Mexico |
Foreign Minister Gemba at RIO+20
 At the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Foreign Minister Gemba outlined Japan's plans to implement three specific initiatives toward creating a "Green Future." Read about Japan's initiatives and the RIO+20's "Future We Want."
MOFA
RIO+20 |
JET-MIP Students Visit Japan
 32 high school students, selected for their Japanese language skills, departed for Japan on July 10 on the JET-Memorial Invitation Program. Consul General Niimi hosted a send-off dinner at his residence. Read about the program and event here:
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16 Play Baseball for Japan
 Middle school children from earthquake struck Kesennuma will play baseball with Urban Youth Academy of Compton on August 26. The opening event is at 11:30 am. The game starts at 1:00 pm at the Urban Youth Compton Field. On Saturday morning August 25, the team from Japan will practice with World Baseball Championship closer Akinori Otsuka.
Play for Japan |
Nisei Week Japanese Festival
 Don't miss the Nisei Week Festival from August 11-19. Joining the Grand Parade on August 12 with their amazing rendition of soran bushi, will be Hiragishi Tenjin, the winning team from the Yosakoi Soran Festival. The Ondo & Closing Ceremony will be August 19. Check out all Nisei Week events:
Nisei Week |
O-Bon Festivals
 A summer seems not to be complete without joining in and dancing the bon odori. You can too! Festivals are going on all around Southern California. Check the Consulate's events calendar to find O-Bon events nearest you.
O-Bon |
Japanese Tsunami Debris?
 There have been several news stories on the possibility of Japanese tsunami debris washing ashore on southern California beaches. The government of Japan is in consultation with a joint task force made up of the U.S. and Canadian governments, and the various state governments from Alaska to California and Hawaii. For more information on the debris reporting protocols established by Japan and its North American partners read:
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Today's Kotowaza:
Tsuki-yo ni chochin
Moonlit night with a paper lantern. To carry a lantern on a moonlit night is to engage in a useless activity. Similar to the English proverb: to carry a lantern in midday. |
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Tokyo Conference on Afghanistan
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(Photo courtesy:
Cabinet Public Relations Office) |
On July 8, the Japanese and Afghan governments jointly held the Tokyo Conference on Afghanistan, attended by world leaders including Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The meeting focused on strategies to support development efforts towards self-reliance in Afghanistan during the Transformation Decade.
Tokyo Conference on Afghanistan
Japan-Afghanistan Summit Meeting
Japan Visit by US Secretary Clinton |
Honorary Consul General of San Diego Kate Leonard
 Ms. Kate Leonard has been appointed Honorary Consul General of Japan in San Diego by the Government of Japan. She is a partner of Hutchinson and Bloodgood, a CPA firm in San Diego. Read about her here:
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Photo Exhibition at JACCC
"Gazing at the Contemporary World: Japanese Photography from the 1970s to the Present" features the diverse expression of 23 photographers. Part I: June 23 - July 29 and PART II: August 25 - September 16 at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center.
JACCC |
Fukushima Children's Chorus Sings "Arigato"
 The Koriyama Children's Choir of Fukushima will give an "Arigato" Concert to express thanks for help they received following the terrible earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. The Nikkei Choral Federation will join the concert at Centenary United Methodist Church August 11, 2:00 pm.
Koriyama Children's Choir
Nikkei Choral Federation |
Tanabata Festival
For the fourth year in a row, Tanabata will be celebrated in Little Tokyo at JANM Plaza. Workshops teach how to make tanabata decorations to submit to the competition. Let your decoration be among the many streaming in the wind on August 10-12.
LA Tanabata Festival |
Mine Okubo Collection in Riverside
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(Photo courtesy: Riverside Community College District) |
Riverside Community College District's Center for Social Justice and Civil Liberties opened on June 27. This new center houses the art work of Mine Okubo (1912-2001), who bequeathed a significant portion of her works to her alma mater. During the opening program, the Hon. Norman Mineta spoke of Ms. Okubo's important legacy in Japanese American history. Consul General Jun Niimi attended.
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Japan Robot Awards Competition Accepting Entries! Apply Here!
 Home care helpers, industrial welders, repetitive task masters - all robots which performed exceptionally in the last year are welcome to join this prestigious competition hosted by Japan's METI. Applications must be received by August 17. Announcements to be made in mid-October. The testing and analysis of robot contestants is thorough and grueling, so your kid in a C3PO costume might not cut the mustard this time around -- sorry. . .
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Japan: Facsinating Diversity Videos on Tohoku Region
 In this short five-episode film, five presenters guide viewers to intriguing destinations, introducing Japan's fascinating culture and heritage along the way. They also take viewers to the Tohoku region, which shows every sign of recovery.
Japan: Facsinating Diversity |
JAPAN RELATED EVENTS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA & ARIZONA
ENGLISH
JAPANESE |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs News
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At the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Foreign Minister Gemba outlined Japan's plans to implement three specific initiatives toward creating a "Green Future." Read about Japan's initiatives and the RIO+20's "Future We Want." 
32 high school students, selected for their Japanese language skills, departed for Japan on July 10 on the JET-Memorial Invitation Program. Consul General Niimi hosted a send-off dinner at his residence. Read about the program and event here: 
Middle school children from earthquake struck Kesennuma will play baseball with Urban Youth Academy of Compton on August 26. The opening event is at 11:30 am. The game starts at 1:00 pm at the Urban Youth Compton Field. On Saturday morning August 25, the team from Japan will practice with World Baseball Championship closer Akinori Otsuka.
Don't miss the Nisei Week Festival from August 11-19. Joining the Grand Parade on August 12 with their amazing rendition of soran bushi, will be Hiragishi Tenjin, the winning team from the Yosakoi Soran Festival. The Ondo & Closing Ceremony will be August 19. Check out all Nisei Week events: 
A summer seems not to be complete without joining in and dancing the bon odori. You can too! Festivals are going on all around Southern California. Check the Consulate's events calendar to find O-Bon events nearest you. 
There have been several news stories on the possibility of Japanese tsunami debris washing ashore on southern California beaches. The government of Japan is in consultation with a joint task force made up of the U.S. and Canadian governments, and the various state governments from Alaska to California and Hawaii. For more information on the debris reporting protocols established by Japan and its North American partners read:
One challenge with EVs has been their relatively limited range when compared to conventional engines. Recently, Japanese researchers have achieved experimental success in technologies that could provide EVs with electricity while they are cruising on the road. First, by sending electrical energy wirelessly to EVs - recent experiments sent 10kW of power over a distance of 4 kilometers. The second variant is an experimental model which would stream electric power below the roadway which vehicles will pick up via special tires through about 4 inches of concrete - a giant slot car track, in effect! See the details here: 
Ms. Kate Leonard has been appointed Honorary Consul General of Japan in San Diego by the Government of Japan. She is a partner of Hutchinson and Bloodgood, a CPA firm in San Diego. Read about her here: 
The Koriyama Children's Choir of Fukushima will give an "Arigato" Concert to express thanks for help they received following the terrible earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. The Nikkei Choral Federation will join the concert at Centenary United Methodist Church August 11, 2:00 pm.
Home care helpers, industrial welders, repetitive task masters - all robots which performed exceptionally in the last year are welcome to join this prestigious competition hosted by Japan's METI. Applications must be received by August 17. Announcements to be made in mid-October. The testing and analysis of robot contestants is thorough and grueling, so your kid in a C3PO costume might not cut the mustard this time around -- sorry. . . 
In this short five-episode film, five presenters guide viewers to intriguing destinations, introducing Japan's fascinating culture and heritage along the way. They also take viewers to the Tohoku region, which shows every sign of recovery. 
This newsletter is issued by the Japan Information & Culture Center