JBA’s 62nd Anniversary and 20th Anniversary of the MOU with LAEDC
2023/2/16
On February 9, the Consulate General of Los Angeles and the Japanese Business Association of Southern California (JBA) co-hosted a reception to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of JBA and its 20th anniversary of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC).
At the reception, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kei Takagi said in a video message, "I am very grateful for JBA's tremendous contribution to strengthening ties between Japan and Southern California. I feel encouraged by remarkable progress of Japanese companies in the area, such as project that utilizes Japan’s high-quality hydrogen technologies, and I look forward to JBA's continued role in bridging our two nations even closer."
California Senate Majority Leader Emeritus Robert Hertzberg and former CEO of LAEDC Bill Allen also congratulated JBA on its contributions to the community. Stephen Cheung, who was appointed CEO of the LAEDC in January this year, also praised the JBA’s longstanding contribution to the region by saying, "Thanks to the remarkable contribution and support of Japanese companies and their economic growth in Southern California, the LAEDC has been able to grow as one of the country’s most influential economic development organizations.”
Takehito Yokoo, founder and chairperson of the Japan Hydrogen Forum (JF2F), looked back on the time when he first started the development of the prototype fuel cell truck for hydrogen infrastructure and conveyed his passion to support the region.
A reception took place after a toast by Mr. Tom Iino, a member of the U.S.-Japan Council.
The reception was joined by about 150 people, including representatives from the U.S. government, business groups and Japan-related groups. It was a great opportunity to celebrate the JBA’s contribution to Southern California and to exhibit some of the Japanese companies activities in the area.
The attendees and summary of the reception are as follows:
<Opening remarks>
Consul General Kenko Sone, Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles
Hironori Kobayashi, Chairman of JBA
<Video message>
Kei Takagi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs
<Congratulations>
Robert Hertzberg, California Senate Majority Leader Emeritus
Bill Allen, Former President & CEO of LAEDC
Stephen Cheung, President & CEO of LAEDC
<Presentation>
Takehito Yokoo, Chair of Japan Hydrogen Forum (JF2F)
<Cheers>
Tom Iino, U.S.-Japan Council Officer
Moderator: Yuko Kaifu, President of Japan House
<Exhibitor>
Hitachi Solutions America, Ltd.
Japan Executive Limousine, Inc.
Japan Hydrogen Forum
JFC International Inc.
Marubeni America Corporation
Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc.
Nippon Design Center USA Inc.
Sapporo U.S.A., Inc.
SB Telecom America Corp.
ShinMaywa (California), Ltd.
Yazaki Innovations, Inc.
At the reception, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kei Takagi said in a video message, "I am very grateful for JBA's tremendous contribution to strengthening ties between Japan and Southern California. I feel encouraged by remarkable progress of Japanese companies in the area, such as project that utilizes Japan’s high-quality hydrogen technologies, and I look forward to JBA's continued role in bridging our two nations even closer."
California Senate Majority Leader Emeritus Robert Hertzberg and former CEO of LAEDC Bill Allen also congratulated JBA on its contributions to the community. Stephen Cheung, who was appointed CEO of the LAEDC in January this year, also praised the JBA’s longstanding contribution to the region by saying, "Thanks to the remarkable contribution and support of Japanese companies and their economic growth in Southern California, the LAEDC has been able to grow as one of the country’s most influential economic development organizations.”
Takehito Yokoo, founder and chairperson of the Japan Hydrogen Forum (JF2F), looked back on the time when he first started the development of the prototype fuel cell truck for hydrogen infrastructure and conveyed his passion to support the region.
A reception took place after a toast by Mr. Tom Iino, a member of the U.S.-Japan Council.
The reception was joined by about 150 people, including representatives from the U.S. government, business groups and Japan-related groups. It was a great opportunity to celebrate the JBA’s contribution to Southern California and to exhibit some of the Japanese companies activities in the area.
The attendees and summary of the reception are as follows:
<Opening remarks>
Consul General Kenko Sone, Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles
Hironori Kobayashi, Chairman of JBA
<Video message>
Kei Takagi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs
<Congratulations>
Robert Hertzberg, California Senate Majority Leader Emeritus
Bill Allen, Former President & CEO of LAEDC
Stephen Cheung, President & CEO of LAEDC
<Presentation>
Takehito Yokoo, Chair of Japan Hydrogen Forum (JF2F)
<Cheers>
Tom Iino, U.S.-Japan Council Officer
Moderator: Yuko Kaifu, President of Japan House
<Exhibitor>
Hitachi Solutions America, Ltd.
Japan Executive Limousine, Inc.
Japan Hydrogen Forum
JFC International Inc.
Marubeni America Corporation
Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc.
Nippon Design Center USA Inc.
Sapporo U.S.A., Inc.
SB Telecom America Corp.
ShinMaywa (California), Ltd.
Yazaki Innovations, Inc.
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| Video message from Mr. Takagi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs |
Consul General Sone |
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Mr. Kobayashi, Chairman of JBA |
Mr. Cheung, President & CEO of LAEDC, and Mr. Kobayashi, Chairman of JBA |
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Mr. Allen, Former President & CEO of LAEDC, |
Mr. Hertzberg, California Senate Majority Leader Emeritus |
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Mr. Yokoo, Chair of Japan Hydrogen Forum (JF2F) |
Mr. Iino, U.S.-Japan Council Officer |
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Some of the Japanese companies’ activities were exhibited at the reception |
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