Consul General Ihara's F arewell 
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your kindness and support over the past three years and four months. My wife and I, along with our pet cat Daisuke, will leave Los Angeles and move back to Japan. Looking back, I have had so many wonderful encounters and amazing memories during my term as consul general.
Words alone cannot fully express my deep feeling of appreciation.
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Foreign Minister's Commendation Presented to Arizona Matsuri Committee 

Ted Namba, Doris Asano, Hon.Consul Gen. Kelly Moeur

On August 19, at a ceremony held at the Phoenix Museum of History, Consul General Ihara presented the Foreign Minister's Commendation to the Arizona Matsuri Committee. Co-Chairs of the Matsuri Committee Ms. Doris Asano and Dr. Ted Namba received the conferment on behalf the committee.  The ceremony was followed by a farewell dinner for Consul General.

Consul General Ihara Provides Update on Japan Recovery to Riverside Chambers!
 
Giving the morning keynote address to one of the largest and most influential chambers of commerce in California, Consul General Ihara was joined by Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge and 200+ chamber members for this update on Japan's recovery from the March 11 disasters. Particular attention was brought to the outpouring of support and donations from Riverside to its sister city, Sendai, which suffered greatly in the disasters.  Japan was noted for its important economic role as the top source of foreign direct investment in southern California. See the presentation and event photographs here: 
 

Former JET Participants to Visit Disaster Region 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan Tourism Agency have invited 14 former JET participants to visit the earthquake-struck region with the goal to deepen  understanding in regards to the current conditions in Japan. From the southern California region, Audrey Shiomi will depart for Japan on September 7.  Her visit coincides with Sendai's Street Jazz Festival.
  

U.S.A.-Japan Youth Baseball

On August 24 and 25, teams from Japan and the U.S. faced each other in a tournament at the MLB Urban Youth Academy Baseball Field in Compton.  Under the annual programs of the U.S. -Japan Int'l High School Baseball Foundation and the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy (UYA), teams go to Japan every year for the U.S.A.-Japan Friendly Series. Teams from Japan play each year in Compton for the Friendship Baseball Games.

Read about the American team's trip to Japan in June. 

Totoro Tanabata  
Totoro makes a splendid, fanciful figure to depict the concept of living in harmony with nature and being supportive of one another. Bearing in mind international support Japan has received, the Consulate General of Japan entered the Tanabata decoration competition with the image of Totoro and the Catbus. Being so cute, Totoro brings good cheer for Japan at this time of struggle for recovery. We're delighted that our decoration won first place in the Public Service Category! See it on display now in the Consulate's library.

Walking on Wood 
Japan Video Topics takes us for a stroll with wooden shoes called geta.  Comfortable and pleasant to use, geta, and their cousin, zori, come in many styles; some rugged, some gorgeous!  See them here. 
 

Today's Kotowaza:
Ninjou ni kokkyo nashi   

Human kindness boundaries none.
Human kindness has no boundaries.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs News

  

Relief Appreciation Event in Los Angeles: Arigato
Join the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles and our
partner community 
organizations as we say "arigato"  for the generousity and support which followed the March 11 earthquake. The public event will take place in Little Tokyo at the JACCC's Noguchi Plaza on Wednesday, September 7 from 6 pm.  Everyone is welcome! 

Hiroshima and Nagasaki Mark Anniversaries
Prime Minister Kan delivered messages at the August 6 and 9 anniversary ceremonies in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He reaffirmed Japan's commitment to realizing a world without nuclear weapons, referring to recent actions at the U.N. which press for progress on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). He also spoke of Japan's need to move toward less dependence on nuclear power in light of the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Deputy Chief of Mission James P. Zumwalt of the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo represented the United States at the ceremonies.   
Hiroshima Ceremony Message
Nagasaki Ceremony Message   

Reports on Japan Recovery
The Reconstruction Design Council adopted its report of recommendations at its 12th meeting on June 25, 2011 
Reconstruction Design Council Report

The Headquarters for the Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake has decided the
Basic Policy on Reconstruction ( June 29)

Roadmap for Immediate Actions for the Verification of and Restoration from the Accident at Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station, TEPCO:
Situation of Fukushima Dai-ichi Power Plant 

Report of Japanese Government to the IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety:
The Accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Nuclear Power Stations

Radioactive Contamination
Measures against Beef which Exceeds the Provisional Regulation Values of Radioactive Cesium by the Government to Ensure Safety of Beef 

Supply Chain
The Second Emergency Survey on the Actual Status of Industries after the Great East Japan Earthquake  

City of Hope U.S.-Japan Conference Wraps Up! 
Kicking off with a reception hosted by Consul General Ihara, and followed by two days of discussions and presentations at the very highest research level, the U.S.-Japan Conference wound up on August 5. One major underlying theme of the event was the impressive history of successful cooperation between Japanese, American and other researchers at the City of Hope. Another theme was the necessity of strengthening research collaboration now and in the future via encouraging greater numbers of young Japanese researchers to study and work in the U.S. For some photos of the reception event, go here: 
 

Yonsei Basketball Games    
Junior high school girls and boys teams from Sakata city and their coaches visited Los Angeles to play against the Yonsei Basketball teams on August 17-20. Even the Mayor of Sakata came to cheer his kids on.  Every year the Yonsei Basketball Association sends teams to play in one of five Japanese cities.  The Japanese teams visit Los Angeles in exchange and stay with the families they hosted in Japan. Read about the Yonsei teams' trip to Japan last year.

International Manga Award
Entries are being accepted for the 5th International MANGA Award. Hurry! The deadline is August 31. The International MANGA Award was established to share Japanese pop culture and to help promote understanding of Japan. It was created to honor manga artists who have contributed to the promotion of manga overseas. For guidelines click here:
 

Restaurants Ignite Ramen Renaissance
Ramen in Japan has evolved in a variety of ways at different times and different places, to become one of Japan's most well-loved comfort foods. Tokyo is home to every conceivable type of ramen.  Find out which styles vie for city favorite in Trends in Japan. 

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