Foreign Minister Kono's U.S. Visit 

Japan Foreign Minister Taro Kono visited Honolulu, San Francisco and Los Angeles as part of his recent visit to the U.S. 

Foreign Minister in Los Angeles

Foreign Minister Taro Kono's U.S. trip included a stop in Los Angeles on Aug. 24-25, where he attended the Grand Opening ceremony for Japan House Los Angeles.  

L.A. Media Coverage of Foreign Minister's Kono

• Foreign Minister's Essay in Rafu Shimpo
• ABC7 Eyewitness News interview with David Ono
• Frank Buckley Interviews on KTLA5

Entire Facility Now Open!

The entire facility of Japan House Los Angeles is now open to the public, following its Grand Opening ceremony held on Aug. 24. Come visit JHLA's exhibition space, library, shop and more!

Kumamoto's Recovery Feted

On Aug. 17, one of Japan's most popular mascots -- Kumamon -- helped celebrate the ongoing recovery of Kumamoto from the 2016 earthquake. Held at the Official Residence of the Consul General, the event featured Kumamoto's sake and shochu spirits and food.

2018 Campus Visits, Info Sessions Schedule

The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program enters its 33rd year of promoting grassroots international exchange between Japan and other countries. Learn more by checking out the JET Program booth at a university career or study abroad fair near you, or an information session. Check out scheduled dates below:

Japanese American Student Program

Angela Zakravsky, a senior at Scripps Ranch High School in San Diego, was selected as one of five participants of the 2018 Japanese American Student Program sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.  Read about Angela’s experience on the program this summer here: 

Kizuna Video Series: Japan Night at Dodger Stadium 

The Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles continues its collaboration with Kizuna bringing you news and views on the Japanese American community.  In our latest video, Kizuna meets the 2017 & 2018 Nisei Week Courts at the annual Japan Night at Dodger Stadium honoring Japanese American heritage.

Los Angeles Anime Film Festival

Anime fans unite! The Los Angeles Anime Film Festival is back! Check out the festival line-up and other information at the link below.

This Month's Sister Cities

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

• La Mirada, CA and Isehara in Kanagawa Prefecture formalized their sister city relations on Sept. 1, 1981   (http://www.cityoflamirada.org/)
  
  
• Encinitas, CA and Amakusa in Kumamoto Prefecture began their relations as sister cities on Sept. 1, 1988  (http://ci.encinitas.ca.us/I-Want-To/Sister-City)
  
  
• Escondido, CA and Maebaru (now part of Itoshima) in Fukuoka Prefecture started their sister city relationship on Sept. 1, 1993
  (https://www.escondido.org/)

Tokyo Ranked Most Innovative Global City!

Tokyo tops the global innovative cities rankings in the 11th annual survey issued by international consultancy 2thinknow, citing strengths such as robotics, 3-D technology, automation-driven productivity, and overall high tech business climate.  For articles and more details on Tokyo’s impressive innovative strengths, see here:

Washoku World Challenge to be Held!

The Washoku World Challenge is a cooking contest in which Japanese cuisine chefs from all over the world compete on the basis of technical expertise and passion for Japanese food. Regional qualifying tournaments will be held in a few places in the world and the Los Angeles tournament will take place September 24th. The six top qualifying chefs from throughout the world will join the final tournament in Tokyo on January 28th & 29th, 2019 to decide the champion!

September: Otsukimi (Moon Viewing)

Otsukumi, or moon viewing, is a celebration in Japan of the full moon in autumn, when the air is clear and outdoor temperatures aren't too cold. Around this time, altars are set up in places where people can see the moon. The altars are decorated with silver grass and offerings such as tsukimi dango, or moon-viewing dumplings, and sake. The practice of Otsukimi is believed to have started in Japan more than 1,000 years ago.