Credit: Cabinet Public Relations Office

Prime Minister Abe Meets with U.S. Vice President 

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy visit from U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Feb. 7. Abe and Pence discussed North Korea, while affirming Japan-U.S. Security cooperation. 

Deputy Prime Minister Aso, Pence Hold Talks

Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso Minister and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence held talks at the Prime Minister's residence on Feb. 7. 

Mrs. Abe and Mrs. Pence in Tokyo

Mrs. Yoshie Abe welcomed Mrs. Karen Pence to Tokyo. The two talked about such topics as bilateral exchange between Japan and the United States through sister city relationships.

Foreign Minister at Munich Security Conference

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono attended the 54th Munich Security Conference on Feb. 16. Read his remarks below:

JBA 57th Anniversary Reception

The Japan Business Association of Southern California's 57th anniversary reception was held at the official residence on Feb. 20, with the mayor of Torrance and others in attendance. The JBA vowed to continue promoting business and local activities as a way to contribute to the community.

Arizona Matsuri

The 34th Annual Arizona Matsuri was held on Feb. 24-25, drawing large crowds that enjoyed Japanese exhibits, demonstrations, arts & crafts and live entertainment, including performances by kendama performance duo Zoomadanke.

Japan House at the Japanese Food Festival

On March 2 at the Japanese Food Festival, Japan House Los Angeles presented a workshop with food stylist Nami Iijima, who talked about the art of styling food for films, television and commercials. She later held a workshop on omusubi, or rice balls.

Japan Bowl® of California

The 6th Annual Japan Bowl® of California, an academic competition that tests the achievements of high school students who are studying the Japanese language, was held at Loyola Marymount University on March 10.  

Film Screening: East Side Sushi  

The Mexican Center for Culture and Cinematic Arts at the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles, the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles and the Japan Foundation will on March 28 host a screening of East Side Sushi, a film about a woman who pursues her dream of becoming a sushi chef. Reserve a spot at the free screening below:

Arizona Speech Contest 

The 29th Annual Arizona Japanese Speech Contest will be held on Sunday, April 8 from 12:30pm to 6 pm at the Center for the Arts at Pima Community College, West Campus. For more information:

Japanese American Leadership Delegation in Japan

The 2018 Japanese American Leadership Delegation sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited Tokyo and Yamaguchi in early March and met with high-level leaders including Prime Minister Abe. In Yamaguchi, they participated in a public symposium co-sponsored by the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership and the U.S.-Japan Council.  

Sister Cities

This is our third in a year-long introduction of Southern California’s and Arizona’s Japan-affiliated sister-city relationships.  Four sister city relationships had their beginnings in the month of March.

Riverside, California and Sendai City in Miyagi Prefecture began as sister cities on March 1, 1957. Theirs is the oldest sister-city relationship in Southern California. (https://www.riversideca.gov/mayor/international.asp)

Santa Barbara, California and Toba City in Mie Prefecture became sister cities on March 1, 1966 (http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/brdcomm/nz/sister_cities_board/sister_cities/default.asp)

Phoenix, Arizona and Himeji City in Hyogo Prefecture joined as sister cities on March 1, 1976 (https://www.phoenixsistercities.org/)

Redondo Beach, California and Itoman City in Okinawa Prefecture became sister cities on March 26, 2013. (http://www.redondosistercities.org/)

See the other Japan-affiliated sister city in this region by visiting http://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/e_web/bilateral_sistercities.htm

Kizuna Video Series: Japanese American Cultural and Community Center

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 introduces us to the vibrant community at the JACCC, through a not-so-typical tour with Craig Ishii and Helen Ota!

Hina Matsuri (March 3)

Hina Matsuri, or Doll's Festival, is a day where families pray for the health and prosperity of girls. Most families take their beautiful collection of dolls out of the closet around mid-February and pack it up again as soon as Hina Matsuri is over. This is because of an old superstition that families that are slow in packing up the dolls have trouble marrying off their daughters.

http://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp | info@ls.mofa.go.jp
Consulate General of Japan, Los Angeles

 
 
 
 

 

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