State Visit to Japan by President Barack Obama
 U.S. President Barack Obama paid a state visit to Japan from April 23-25. During the visit, the President called on Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. He also met several times with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, starting with a private sushi dinner the day of arrival. The two nations issued the "U.S.-Japan Joint Statement: The United States and Japan: Shaping the Future of the Asia-Pacific and Beyond."
|
Consul General Talks Business with CSU Long Beach Business Students 
Consul General Jun Niimi spoke at the invitation of the International Business Association of Cal State Long Beach in March, addressing topics like Japan-related business investment in Southern California before about 100 students and faculty.
|
Japanese Government Scholarships for 2015
 Application materials for Japanese government 2015 "MEXT" scholarships are now available for the Research Student Scholarship, the Undergraduate Student Scholarship, and the Specialized Training College Student Scholarship. Application deadline is June 11 at 5:00 pm.
|
Japanese Robot Wins Disaster Response Competition!
 A robot from a Japanese start-up won a two-day disaster-response robotics competition in Florida. Pitted against the world's best in this DARPA sponsored competition:
|
| Special Olympics Summer Games Invitational 2014
 Come to USC and cheer for Japan's delegation to the Special Olympics Summer Games Invitational June 6-8 at USC in Los Angeles! Japan is one of twelve countries to send athletes. (These Games are also a prelude to World Games Los Angeles 2015 next July, expected to draw from 177 countries.)
|
Spring Events Resume
U.S. Navy Hosts Memorial Event
 The U.S. Navy hosted a special event to commemorate the third year since the Great East Japan Earthquake. The memorial event was held aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, which served as a base for Operation Tomodachi immediately following that disaster.
Love to Nippon - 3.11 Memorial Event
 The 2014 Love to Nippon event took place at LAPD Headquarters in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, March 8, three years after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami; organized by the Japan America Society of Southern California and supported by many local organizations. Arizona Matsuri
 About 85,000 came to enjoy the 30th two-day Arizona Matsuri, February 22-23 in downtown Phoenix. Cosplayers, taiko performers and tea practitioners are just some of the Japan-enthusiasts that made it fun. Hundreds stopped by the Consulate General of Japan's booth.
Japan Bowl 2014 in Los Angeles
California high school teams battled for first place in the 2nd annual Japan Bowl(R) Southern California on March 1 at Loyola Marymount University. It drew competing teams from Northern and Southern California, and winners were sent  to Washington, DC for the National Japan Bowl.
KAKEHASHI Project Reception
 Japanese and Southern Californian high school students met and made friends at a reception for the KAKEHASHI Project - The Bridge for Tomorrow - hosted by the Consulate General of Japan and held at the Japanese American National Museum.
|
Ministry of Foreign Affairs News
|
Check out our community calendar!
JAPAN RELATED EVENTS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA & ARIZONA
|
|
| USC Conference Discusses Japan's Future Immigration
 "Immigration Nation Japan? - Immigration Policy, Immigrant Integration, and the Future of Multiethnic Japan" was the catchy, thought provoking title of this fascinating academic conference on April 25, co-hosted by the Consulate General of Japan.
|
Commentator Yukio Okamoto Visits Southern California
 Yukio Okamoto - author, professor, political and economic affairs consultant, and former Special Advisor to two Japanese Prime Ministers - came to Los Angeles to share his perspectives on current affairs in East Asia, talk about future prospects for Japan and the U.S., and tell a few stories from his long years in international affairs.
|
| Capturing Space Junk with Orbiting Nets!
 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has a plan to start cleaning up the skies with a giant magnetic net that will scoop up that pesky and dangerous space junk orbiting the earth.
|
| International Manga Competition  Manga artists! Competition for the Eighth International Manga Award has begun. Sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the program awards one Gold and three Silver medalists with a 10-day visit to Japan. Deadline is May 31. Entry form and application:
|
This is "Washoku" - traditional dietary cultures of the Japanese
Video by Prime Minister Abe!
Designation on UNESCO's
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Culinary Treasures of Iwate!
On Feb. 3, a reception, 'Culinary Treasures of Iwate,' was held in Beverly Hills. Governor Tasso reported the reconstruction efforts from 3.11 disaster and introduced agricultural products of the region. Executive Chef Sugiura of the Beverly Hilton also proposed culinary dishes with 'Iwate Wagyu.'
|
Destinations
Visit Japan  !
Are the summer months the right time to visit Japan? Plan your trip anytime! Follow these links to start getting some ideas!
Unique Museums
A Big City View
Fantastic Destinations
Up and Down the Coast
Special Events of the Season
Click links for budget-friendly airfare, food, inns and events.
|
|
Ten Japanese American leaders from across the country visited Fukuoka and Tokyo for meetings with political and business leaders, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In its 14th year, the delegation program provides an opportunity for Japanese Americans to further connect with Japan. Irene Hirano Inouye, President of the U.S.-Japan Council (program organizer), led the
This newsletter is issued by the Japan Information & Culture Center
