Prime Minister Abe's Visit to the Republic of Korea

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited South Korea on Feb. 9-10, where he met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Abe later attended the opening ceremony of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. 

Prime Minister Delivers Policy Speech to 196th Session of Diet 

On Jan. 22, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe addressed the 196th Session of the Diet during the plenary sessions of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors.
Read the English translation of the original Japanese speech here:

Foreign Minister Taro Kono Talks Foreign Policy at 196th Diet Session

On Jan. 22, Foreign Minister Taro Kono outlined Japan's foreign policy in a speech to the Diet session. Read the text below:

150 Years Since the Meiji Restoration

This year 2018 marks the 150th anniversary of Japan's Meiji Restoration. Learn more about this period helped to modernize Japan.

Mrs. Thelma Press Honored at Commendation Ceremony

On Jan. 31, Mrs. Thelma Press was conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays at a ceremony held at the Japanese Friendship Garden San Diego. Read more below:

Japan Update: U.S. Economic Alliance and Japan's National Security Environment

Presented by the Japan America Society of Southern California and the Japan Business Association of Southern California, the Japan Update event on March 1 features experts who will provide their forecast on Japan and US-Japan business, trade, security and international relations in 2018. For more information:

U.S.-Japan Alliance Series to Be Held at RAND Corp.

The RAND Corp. will host a two-day conference on March 5 & 6 to discuss the alliance and its ability to ensure a coordinated, seamless response to coercion in gray zone contingencies in the maritime, cyber, and space domains. 

2018 Japanese American Leadership Delegation

In March, ten Japanese American leaders from across the country will visit Yamaguchi and Tokyo for meetings with political and business leaders, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and led by Irene Hirano Inouye, President of the U.S.-Japan Council (program organizer). On Feb. 2-3 the ten delegates gathered in Los Angeles for a pre-trip orientation. This year, David Ono, news anchor of KABC-TV, will represent the Los Angeles region.

Japanese Friendship Garden in Glendale

Recently a team of Japanese landscaping specialists visited the Japanese Friendship Garden in the City of Glendale to complete a restoration project sponsored by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.  A public event was also held on January 21 co-sponsored by the Japan Foundation Los Angeles and Friends of Shoseian.   

Event Commemorates Kashiwa-Torrance Sister City

The cities of Kashiwa and Torrance celebrated the 45th anniversary of their sister-city relationship at a banquet held on Feb. 11. Consul General Akira Chiba spoke at the event, congratulating both cities for reaching that milestone and highlighting the importance of grassroots exchanges through sister-city ties.

Kizuna Video Series: Japanese American National Museum

The Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles in association with Kizuna brings you a video series highlighting the unique features and history of the Japanese American community. Our latest video takes you behind the scenes at the Japanese American National Museum to explore their special archives collection. 

Sister City Ties  

We continue our monthly spotlight on Japan-affiliated sister cities in Southern California and Arizona, this time highlighting the two which were founded in the month of February.

Torrance - The City of Torrance in Los Angeles County and the City of Kashiwa in Chiba Prefecture just celebrated their 45th anniversary, having become sister cities on February 1, 1973.  Find information at http://torrancesistercity.org/ .

Burbank - The City of Burbank in Los Angeles County and the City of Ota in Gunma Prefecture established their sister-city relationship on February 1, 1984.  Read about it at http://burbankneighbors.org/blog/ .

Find out if your city has a Japan-affiliated sister city:

Kendama Performance Duo in L.A! 

Zoomadanke, an internationally-recognized kendama performance duo will be at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles on Thursday, February 22nd starting at 4:00 p.m. Join kendama players, Kendaman and Easy, as they mix the classic Japanese sword-and-cup toy with music and dance.

Local Specialties from Japan in So Cal!

Come to the Japan Local Specialty Fair organized by Japan's Council of Local Authorities for International Relations on Feb. 22-28!

Hungry for Japanese Food?

Head to the Japanese Food Culture Association's festival on March 2-3 that will feature sake and beer tasting, cultural performances, a tuna filleting demonstration as well as 50+ exhibitiors offering food samples and exclusive wares. 

February Holiday: National Foundation Day

National Foundation Day, observed on Feb. 11, was established in 1967 as a day to commemorate Japan's founding.