On May 1, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in Los Angeles for a two-day visit, the last stop of his historic visit to the United States. His official visit to the city was the first by a Japanese prime minister since 1999. The prime minister’s visit began with his and First Lady Mrs. Akie Abe’s morning arrival at Los Angeles International Airport, where they were greeted by Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti and the First Lady Ms. Amy Wakeland, and of course Consul General of Japan Harry H. Horinouchi and Mrs. Sabine Horinouchi.
The prime minister immediately set out on a full schedule of events and meetings, starting with a welcome luncheon at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The luncheon was organized by the Japan America Society of Southern California and the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles with the cooperation of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council, Town Hall Los Angeles and other organizations. In his remarks, Prime Minister Abe spoke to the capacity crowd about the strong connection between Japan and Southern California, and its contribution to the overall Japan-U.S. relationship. The luncheon’s 700 guests made it Prime Minister Abe’s largest event during his U.S. visit. For the full version of Prime Minister Abe's remarks, please refer here.
Prime Minister Abe next attended the Japan-U.S. Economic Forum hosted by the Japan External Trade Organization, where he was joined by U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker in encouraging American investment in Japan. To read more, please see: https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/jetro/topics/2015/1504_topics3.html
Recognizing that Los Angeles is not only an important base for many Japanese companies, but also home to the largest overseas community of Japanese and Japanese Americans, the prime minister and the first lady attended a gathering of Japanese, Japanese American and other members of local organizations who have contributed to the Japan-U.S. friendship. There, Mr. Akemi Miyake of the Orange County Japanese American Association welcomed them to Southern California with a rousing speech. To read the prime minister’s remarks, please see here.
In the same afternoon, the prime minister and the first lady went across downtown to Little Tokyo, where they laid a wreath at the Go for Broke Monument, to honor the more than 16,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry who fought bravely and overcame great obstacles to serve with distinction in the U.S. armed forces during World War II. The prime minister met with eight Japanese American veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion, the Military Intelligence Service and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
After the visit to the monument, the prime minister and the first lady walked a few hundred feet to the Japanese American National Museum, where museum Chief Executive Officer Greg Kimura greeted them and guided Japan’s first couple as they toured exhibits showcasing the rich history and culture of Japanese Americans. The prime minister then delivered remarks at a VIP Reception, which precedes the museum’s annual gala dinner. He cited the many accomplishments of Japanese Americans and thanked them for building bridges between Japan and the U.S. For Prime Minister Abe's full remarks, please refer here.
On May 2, the prime minister and first lady met with high school and college students from Southern California who had participated in the KAKEHASHI Project – The Bridge for Tomorrow – youth exchange program. Prime Minister Abe recounted his own experience studying as a college student in Los Angeles, and urged the KAKEHASHI participants to maintain contact with friends they made in Japan. For more information, please see here.
Finally, the prime minister’s last stop before departing Los Angeles was the University of Southern California, where he had spent three semesters as a student in the late 1970s. The prime minister and first lady were greeted by USC President Max Nikias and his wife for a tour of the campus. The prime minister met with faculty and staff members of the USC Shinso Ito Center for Japanese Religions and Culture, with Director Duncan Ryuken Williams explaining the many exciting programs and projects offered by the center. Prime Minister Abe also had the opportunity to reunite with a former professor under whom he had studied years ago. For more information about the USC visit, please click: https://news.usc.edu/80768/japans-prime-minister-shinzo-abe-visits-usc/
Prime Minister Abe’s event-packed visit to Los Angeles was a meaningful cap to his historic visit to the United States, which reaffirmed the close relationship between Japan and Southern California. |
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