Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Visits China

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited China on October 25-27, where he met with Premier Li Keqiang and President Xi Jinping.

Prime Minister Abe's Policy Speech to the 197th Session of the Diet

Prime Minister Abe delivered a policy speech to the 197th Session of the Diet on Oct. 24.

Consul General Visits Fukui City Mayor

During a trip to Japan, Consul General Akira Chiba met with Fukui City Mayor Shinichi Higashimura to discuss the 30th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Fukui and the city of Fullerton, California.

Recipients of Fall 2018 Decorations

On Nov. 3 (Japan Standard Time), the Government of Japan announces the recipients of its Fall 2018 Decorations. From the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, Mr. Edward A. Perron will be awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, and Mr. Chogi Higa will be awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.

Foreign Minister's Commendation Honoring Mrs. Takako Wakita 

On Oct. 17, Mrs. Takako Wakita was presented with a certificate from the Foreign Minister of Japan for her many achievements including her work with the Santa Barbara-Toba Sister Cities Organization and her promotion of Japanese culture.

Celebration of Food and Tourism Yamagata Reception

On Oct. 16, the Yamagata Pref. government and the Consulate General of Japan joined forces to promote food and tourism in Yamagata and held a reception at the Official Residence of the Consul General of Japan. Guests sampled Wagyu beef, ramen and other food. 

Dr. Narushige Michishita Lectures on Foreign Policy

Dr. Narushige Michishita, professor of strategic studies and foreign policy at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo, Japan spoke in Southern California in mid-October as part of a lecture series presented by the Prime Minister's Office of Japan.

Reception for Shoplifters Film

On Nov. 11, Consul General of Japan Akira Chiba spoke at a reception at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, hosted by Magnolia Pictures and Gaga Corporation, that followed an AFI FEST screening of the film Shoplifters, Japan's official entry for the Oscar Best Foreign Language film category.

Coming Events at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles

JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, located at Hollywood & Highland, is hosting coming events, including a lecture and panel discussion on Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa as well as a workshop on the foundations of architectural model-making. Find out more:

Kizuna Video Series: Haunted Little Tokyo

The Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles and Kizuna bring you news and views on the Japanese American community.  Watch our latest video featuring Haunted Little Tokyo, which took place throughout the month of October bringing the community ghost tours, block parties, and trick-or-treat fun for the whole family.   

This Month's Sister Cities

Anniversaries of U.S.-Japan relations in Southern California for the month of November include six Sister Cities:

• Gardena, CA and Ichikawa in Chiba Prefecture began sister city relations on Nov. 1, 1962 (http://www.cityofgardena.org/)
• Carson, CA and Soka in Saitama Prefecture began their relations as sister cities on Nov. 1, 1979. (http://ci.carson.ca.us/CityManager/csca.aspx)
• Chula Vista, CA and Odawara in Kanagawa Prefecture started their sister city relationship on Nov. 1, 1981 (https://www.chulavistaca.gov/departments/city-clerk/boards-commissions/boards-commissions-list/international-friendship-commission)
• Newport Beach, CA and Okazaki in Aichi Prefecture launched their sister city relationship on Nov. 1, 1984. (http://www.nbsca.org/)
• Fullerton, CA and Fukui in Fukui Prefecture began their relations as sister cities on Nov. 1, 1989. (https://www.cityoffullerton.com/gov/sistercity/default.asp)
• West Covina, CA and Ohtawara in Tochigi Prefecture became sister cities on Oct. 1, 1988 (http://www.westcovina.org/about-the-city/sister-city)

To learn more about sister city relationships in our jurisdiction, please click here:

Hollywood to Bring Japanese Global Favorite to Life!

One of the world’s best-selling manga series, “Attack on Titan,” with over 76 million copies in print since debuting in 2009, has been green-lighted for production as a live action feature film – get the hot Hollywood scoop right here: 

"Washoku World Challenge" Los Angeles Finalist!

Downtown Los Angeles restaurant Executive Chef Ruiz Mateo will go head to head with finalists from New York, Paris, Bangkok, and Osaka, to see which foreign chef will win the “Washoku World Challenge” this season for their interpretations of Japanese cuisine.  Finalists will be flown to Japan for the international final tournament January 28 - 29, 2019, so stay tuned for more results!

Japan Technology Innovations in Olympics!

The journal of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan presents an article on just a few of the innovative advances slated for the Tokyo Olympics which promise to make the games the most technology-driven the world has yet seen.  See more of where technology will meet sport right here: 

November 15: 7-5-3 (shichi, go, san)

On Nov. 15, girls and boys will dress up in formal clothes at age three, five and seven years of age to visit a Shinto shrine with their parents to pray for their healthy growth. Girls typically wear kimono, while boys wear haori jackets and hakama trousers.