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 Farewell To Consul General Jun Niimi
Consul General Jun Niimi departed Los Angeles on Saturday, June 28. "During my time here, I received great kindness and support from everyone and would like to express my heartfelt gratitude," said Consul General Niimi, just shortly before his departure. He thanked the U.S. for its steadfast support for Japan in the aftermath of the March 2011 earthquake disaster, and expressed appreciation for the strong friendship between the two nations.
Read his farewell remarks here: 
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Japan-Israel Summit Held
 Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu visited Japan from May 11-14, meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The two nations issued the "Japan-Israel Joint Statement on Building a New Comprehensive Partnership", which focuses on further enhancing bilateral relations as well as cooperation to promote international peace and stability.
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| Operation Tomodachi Lecture By Great East Japan Earthquake First Responder
 Dr. Robert Eldridge, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for G-7, and Political Affairs and Public Diplomacy Officer, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, discussed his experience as a first responder in Northeastern Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster on March 11, 2011. At the time, he was with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in Okinawa, Japan. Speaking at a Japan Foundation-sponsored lecture on May 15, he also offered insight into disaster management.
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Aurora Foundation Speech Contest
 The 11th Annual All-USA High School Japanese Speech Contest was held by the Japanese Language Scholarship (Aurora) Foundation, during which participants had an opportunity to show off their Japanese skill, and were challenged by interviews with contest judges. The winner received an opportunity to compete in Japan in July 2014. Vice Consul Yamada of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles served as a judge at the event.
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Cutting Edge Tech Trifecta 
A real-world demonstration project in Japan linking 1) nearby green power station to a 2) power-hungry data center with 3) superconducting power cables that experience practically zero power transmission losses. An electrifying case study on the shape and capabilities of our future energy grid! Read more here:
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Japan America Society of Southern California Celebrates 105th Anniversary
 The Japan America Society of Southern California (JASSC) marked its 105th Anniversary with a dinner and gala on June 17. Mr. Tomo Mizutani, President of Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas, and the late Mr. Montgomery Dickson and the late Ms. Taylor Anderson were honored as this year's recipients of the International Citizens Award. The JASSC also awarded Consul General Jun Niimi with honorary lifetime membership.
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Japanese Wise-Cracking Robot Debuted 
Though not quite ready to hit the stage at Groundlings, as an exercise in pushing forward the limits of artificial intelligence (AI), this diminutive robot is quite the little cutup. As you can see in his videos, conversation builds on natural interaction with a human partner, and based upon the robots own knowledge base, jokes will occasionally be told - and disappointment expressed when the joke falls flat . . . poor little guy. Get a whiff of robot humor right here:
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| U.S. Educators Invitational Tour
Participants in the Japan Foundation's 2014 U.S. Educators Invitational Program Tour convened in Los Angeles for orientation prior to a nine day experience in Japan observing cultural, societal, and educational conditions while visiting education-related institutions, meeting Japanese educator counterparts, participating in lectures, and many other activities. Consul General Niimi hosted a Send-off Reception on the eve of the group's departure to Japan.
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Nisei Week in Little Tokyo
 Nisei Week 2014 promises fun-filled events for the entire family! The 74th annual festival themed "Continuing the Legacy," will include the Tanabata Festival, Coronation Ball, Grand Parade and a variety of Japanese food, arts and entertainment, August 9-17.
Learn more at:
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Obon Summer Festivals
 Get your yukata ready for Japanese summer festivals in Southern California and Arizona. These festivals feature traditional dance, cultural arts, food and demonstrations.
Please check the consulate's local event calendar for details about events near you:
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs News
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Check out our community calendar!
JAPAN RELATED EVENTS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA & ARIZONA
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Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Overseas Visits
 Prime Minister Abe kicked off his midyear overseas visits overseas with a May 30-31 trip to Singapore, where he met with counterpart Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Abe next headed to Europe to attend the Group of Seven (G-7) leaders' meeting in Brussels, Belgium on June 4-5. On the sidelines of the G-7 gathering, he held discussions with leaders of Germany, France and the European Union. Abe also stopped in Italy and Vatican City, where he met with the Italian prime minister as well as Pope Francis.
During July 6-12, Abe paid a visit to Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, meeting with his respective counterparts.
Click below for more details:
Singapore
Belgium (G-7 meeting)
 Italy
Vatican City State
Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea
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| Commendations of the Consul General Awarded:
The Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles conferred on Mr. Toshio Handa on May 22, and Mr. Ted Tanaka and Mrs. Masako Unoura Tanaka on May 27, the Commendation of the Consul General. The Commendation is conferred on individuals or organizations promoting mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and foreign nations, in support of a consulate general's mission.
Read more about the recipients:
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Japan Day At Cal State San Bernardino
California State University, San Bernardino hosted its first ever Japan Day on May 29, sponsored by the Center for International Studies and Programs (CISP) and Department of World Languages and Literatures. The day included performances of, or presentations on, taiko, Japanese pop culture, Japanese tea, and calligraphy by student and faculty.
Also, Consul Wajima of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles discussed Japan's evolving cultural, economic and diplomatic role before an audience of students, professors, administrators, and guests.
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| A Warm Welcome for Japan's Special Olympics Athletes
 The Consulate General of Japan welcomed members of the Special Olympics Japan delegation by hosting a reception for them at the Official Residence on June 6. The delegation came to Los Angeles to participate in the 2014 Special Olympics Southern California Summer Invitational Games on June 6-8, a prelude to the Special Olympics World Summer Games Los Angeles 2015. Officials in charge of organizing the 2015 World Summer Games also attended the reception, building up anticipation for those events. For its part, Japan is gearing up for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
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| Japan Defeats U.S. In Men's Rugby
 The Japanese team nabbed the first match of the Pacific Nations Cup, besting the U.S.A. Men's Eagles with a 37-29 victory on June 14 at StubHub Center in Carson, California.
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MSDF Training Squadron
Reception Held in San Diego
 Consul General Jun Niimi and Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) Training Squadron Commander and Rear Admiral Hideki Yuasa co-sponsored a reception aboard the MSDF vessel JS Kashima to mark the Training Squadron's arrival in San Diego. Consul General Niimi highlighted ongoing cooperation between the MSDF and U.S. Navy as well as the important role played by San Diego and Southern California in furthering Japan-U.S. relations.
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JET Memorial Invitation Program Reception
On July 7, 2014 the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles held a Send-off Dinner Reception for 32 high school students bound for Japan on a 15-day educational program. The JET Memorial Invitation Program (JET-MIP) is organized by the Japan Foundation in remembrance of the legacy of Mr. Montgomery Dickson and Ms. Taylor Anderson, JET Program participants who lost their lives in the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 2011. The program aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders to build bridges between Japan and the U.S.
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Noh Theater at Phoenix Art Museum
Quiet Rage, Gentle Wail explores Noh traditional Japanese the  ater through a multi-dimensional approach to appreciate the art and its asethetics. The exhibition features 22 Noh masks, a pair of two-panel screens and approximately 24 prints depicting Noh actors on stage.
The exhibition is part of a three-year project, Japan in Global Context, organized by Arizona State University and funded by the Japan Foundation.
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| 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.
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 This newsletter is issued by the Japan Information & Culture Center
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Farewell To Consul General Jun Niimi
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu visited Japan from May 11-14, meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The two nations issued the "Japan-Israel Joint Statement on Building a New Comprehensive Partnership", which focuses on further enhancing bilateral relations as well as cooperation to promote international peace and stability.
Dr. Robert Eldridge, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for G-7, and Political Affairs and Public Diplomacy Officer, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, discussed his experience as a first responder in Northeastern Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster on March 11, 2011. At the time, he was with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in Okinawa, Japan. Speaking at a Japan Foundation-sponsored lecture on May 15, he also offered insight into disaster management.
The 11th Annual All-USA High School Japanese Speech Contest was held by the Japanese Language Scholarship (Aurora) Foundation, during which participants had an opportunity to show off their Japanese skill, and were challenged by interviews with contest judges. The winner received an opportunity to compete in Japan in July 2014. Vice Consul Yamada of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles served as a judge at the event.
The Japan America Society of Southern California (JASSC) marked its 105th Anniversary with a dinner and gala on June 17. Mr. Tomo Mizutani, President of Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas, and the late Mr. Montgomery Dickson and the late Ms. Taylor Anderson were honored as this year's recipients of the International Citizens Award. The JASSC also awarded Consul General Jun Niimi with honorary lifetime membership. 
Nisei Week 2014 promises fun-filled events for the entire family! The 74th annual festival themed "Continuing the Legacy," will include the Tanabata Festival, Coronation Ball, Grand Parade and a variety of Japanese food, arts and entertainment, August 9-17. 
Get your yukata ready for Japanese summer festivals in Southern California and Arizona. These festivals feature traditional dance, cultural arts, food and demonstrations.
Prime Minister Abe kicked off his midyear overseas visits overseas with a May 30-31 trip to Singapore, where he met with counterpart Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Abe next headed to Europe to attend the Group of Seven (G-7) leaders' meeting in Brussels, Belgium on June 4-5. On the sidelines of the G-7 gathering, he held discussions with leaders of Germany, France and the European Union. Abe also stopped in Italy and Vatican City, where he met with the Italian prime minister as well as Pope Francis. 
Italy
The Consulate General of Japan welcomed members of the Special Olympics Japan delegation by hosting a reception for them at the Official Residence on June 6. The delegation came to Los Angeles to participate in the 2014 Special Olympics Southern California Summer Invitational Games on June 6-8, a prelude to the Special Olympics World Summer Games Los Angeles 2015. Officials in charge of organizing the 2015 World Summer Games also attended the reception, building up anticipation for those events. For its part, Japan is gearing up for the 2020 Summer Olympics. 
The Japanese team nabbed the first match of the Pacific Nations Cup, besting the U.S.A. Men's Eagles with a 37-29 victory on June 14 at StubHub Center in Carson, California.
Consul General Jun Niimi and Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) Training Squadron Commander and Rear Admiral Hideki Yuasa co-sponsored a reception aboard the MSDF vessel JS Kashima to mark the Training Squadron's arrival in San Diego. Consul General Niimi highlighted ongoing cooperation between the MSDF and U.S. Navy as well as the important role played by San Diego and Southern California in furthering Japan-U.S. relations.
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This newsletter is issued by the Japan Information & Culture Center
