Prime Minister Attends G20 Summit in Buenos Aires

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Group of 20 Summit in Buenos Aires, where he also held bilateral talks with counterparts from the U.S., China, India, Turkey and the European Union.

Japan to Host the G20 in 2019

The next G20 Summit and Ministerial Meetings will be held in Japan for the time, with G20 leaders set to gather in Osaka on June 28-29.

US Vice President in Japan

US Vice President Mike Pence visited Japan from Nov. 12-13, where he met with Prime Minister Abe to discuss such topics as North Korea and China. 

Abe Attends ASEAN and APEC Meetings

Prime Minister Abe attended ASEAN and APEC meetings during a trip from Nov. 14-18 that took him to Singapore, Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Folk Ritual Added to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List Reception

UNESCO has added Japan's "Raiho-shin," or visiting dieties, to their Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The ritual stems from folk beliefs that the Raiho-shin ushers in the new year or new season with happiness, prosperity and luck. Local people may dress up in costumes and masks, visiting children and admonishing them to behave.

World Expo 2025 Bid Awarded to Osaka

The Japanese city of Osaka, in the Kansai region of Japan, will host the World Expo in 2025. The event is expected to draw millions of visitors, while showcasing the local economy and culture.  More of what to expect from Kansai in 2025 right here:

Japan House Restaurant Now Open

Inn Ann, or "hidden retreat", is a modern Kaiseki restaurant on the fifth floor space at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles in Hollywood & Highland. 

And for more information about workshops and other events at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, please click: https://www.japanhouse.jp/losangeles/events/index.html

Enjoy Persimmons Imported From Japan!

On Oct. 26, JETRO Los Angeles held a promotional event for vegans and vegetarians centered around kaki, or Japanese persimmons. Persimmons can be prepared in many ways, including salads.

Nadeshiko "Coming of Age" Ceremony

Nadeshiko-kai, an organization that promotes traditional Japanese kimono culture, will hold its annual Seijinshiki coming-of-age-day celebration on Sunday, Jan. 13 in Redondo Beach. Individuals who turn 20 years of age in 2019 can register for the ceremony. Find out more:

New Year's Events in So Cal and Arizona

Usher in the 2019 Year of the Boar with Japanese traditions! Look for local area New Year's celebrations in the Consulate General of Japan events calendar (https://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/e_web/jicc_calendar.htm).
The 2018 holiday schedule for the Consulate General of Japan is also available (https://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/e_web/e_m01_01.htm).

This Month's Sister Cities 

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

• San Bernardino, CA and Tachikawa in Tokyo Prefecture began sister city relations on Dec. 1, 1959 (http://www.ci.san-bernardino.ca.us/about/sister_cities.asp)
• Hemet, CA and Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture began their relations as sister cities on Dec. 1, 1974 (http://www.cityofhemet.org/)
• Anaheim, CA and Mito in Ibaraki Prefecture launched their sister city relationship on Dec. 1, 1976 (http://www.anaheim.net/192/Sister-City-Commission)
• Oceanside, CA and Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture started their sister city relationship on Dec. 1, 1991 (https://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/default.asp)
  
  To learn more about sister city relationships in our jurisdiction, please click here:

Tokyo's World Robot Summit 2018!

October 17-18 saw scores of teams from all over the world presenting and competing at the World Robot Summit, Expo and Challenge in Tokyo.  All categories of robots -- industrial, disaster rescue, household, personal care, etc. -- were gathered, and certainly provide a glimpse into the future of synergy between humans and machines.  Check out the CBS News video on the Summit, teams information, and much more right here:    

A Window on Japan's Science and Tech Trends!

Japan’s National Institute of Science and Technology Policy has made their latest analysis of trends in Japanese research activities available in English – an instructive overview and comparison with other advanced countries on scale and areas of focus in research and development spending.  Get this latest report here:

The Exquisite Food Artistry of Japan's New Year Season  

A very particular and unique type of Japanese cuisine, “Osechi-ryori,” is a major component of Japanese celebrating and welcoming the New Year.  Explore the ingredients, dishes and the aesthetic appeal of Osechi in these beautiful photo surveys: