On Saturday, July 25, Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology Hakubun Shimomura arrived in Los Angeles for a two-day visit, which included an appearance with Team Nippon at the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games: Los Angeles 2015.
The minister joined U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy, whose family helped found the Special Olympics, and others in leading the Japanese delegation during the opening ceremony at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Special Olympics, held from July 25 to Aug. 2, featured 6,500 athletes representing 165 countries. Minister Shimomura and Ambassador Kennedy walked with the Japanese delegation of 118, waving enthusiastically to spectators in the crowds.
On July 26, the minister toured the Special Olympics swimming competition venue at the University of Southern California, meeting with Japanese athletes. He encouraged them to do their best, and watched the competition to cheer on all the swimmers.
Later that afternoon, the minister headed to Little Tokyo to lay a wreath at the Go for Broke Monument, which honors the more than 16,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry who fought bravely and overcame great obstacles to serve in the U.S. armed forces during World War II. The minister met with two Japanese American veterans and their families, expressing respect for their achievements. After the visit to the monument, the minister walked to the Japanese American National Museum, where he toured exhibits showcasing the proud history and culture of Japanese Americans.
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