Shinzo Abe Designated Prime Minister
Mr. Shinzo Abe was reappointed prime minister at a special Diet session on Dec. 24, becoming the 97th, and the seventh-longest-serving since World War II. This comes on the heels of the Dec. 14 general election. Prime Minister Abe will preside over his third cabinet. To see the lineup, please click here:
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Japan Named "Most Important Partner" of the U.S. in Asia in 2014 Poll
Among the American general public, Japan took the top spot as the most important partner of the U.S. in Asia, according to the 2014 Harris Poll, conducted by Nielsen Consumer Insights Inc.
The percentage that chose Japan reached to 46%, improving from 35% in 2013.
For more details, please read here:
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Presenting the School Visits Program
The Japan Information and Culture Center of the Consulate General of Japan offers its "Introduction to Japan' School Visits program free to schools in Southern California.
Our presentation surveys the sports, delicious food, and pop and traditional cultures of Japan, and touches on basic knowledge as appropriate to the grade level. For information, including details about special visits in January and February with volunteer community guest presenters and traditional Japanese cultural arts practitioners, please click the link below and scroll down to "School Visits Program":
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Commendation of the Consul General Awarded
 The Consul General conferred the Commendation on Mr. Shinkichi Koyama on Nov. 7.
Please see here for more details about Mr. Koyama's biography and achievements:
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"The Heart of Japan" Photo Exhibition 
Mr. Sanjiro Minamikawa, a photographer hailing from Mie, Japan, is exhibiting photos of the 62nd Jingu Shikinen Sengu at Ise Shrine. The photo exhibit offers a rare glimpse into a ceremony that entails disassembling and reassembling structures within the grand shrine once every 20 years. The exhibit runs from Dec. 6 to Dec. 27 at George J. Doizaki Gallery at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center. For more information:
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Epic Journey of Hayabusa 2 Underway! 
A Japanese H-2A launcher blasted off from Tanegashima Space Center spaceport on December 3rd, initiating a six-year, 3.25 billion mile round-trip to land on, study and bring back samples of an asteroid. The Hayabusa 2 explorer spacecraft will also carry and dispatch several small mobile robots for a detailed survey of the asteroid's surface and surrounding environment.
Follow the adventure here:
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Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town Opens!
 In a community that will eventually encompass 1,000 residences, November 27th saw the official opening of a new type of master-planned Japanese town, incorporating the most advanced practices related to sustainable living, energy and mobility. Learn about this cutting-edge project here:
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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 Abe's Foreign Visits
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended APEC, ASEAN-related and G20 Summit gatherings from Nov. 9-17, meeting with other top leaders on the sidelines. For more details, please read here:
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Recipients of Fall 2014 Decorations
The Government of Japan awarded Fall 2014 Decorations to four distinguished recipients from the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, in recognition of their accomplishments and achievements. Please click here to find out more about the recipients here:
Professor Hiroo Kanamori Mr. Toshio Handa
 
Ms. Jan Perry Mr. Yukio Tatsumi
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Former Ambassador Fujisaki Discusses "Japan: Heading Where?" At Luncheon
 Former Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Ichiro Fujisaki, President of the America-Japan Society Inc., spoke at a luncheon on Nov. 25 hosted by Japan America Society of Southern California, in partnership with Asia Society Southern California, Los Angeles World Affairs and Town Hall Los Angeles
For more information:
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Calling All Haiku Poets In Arizona!
A Haiku expo will be held as part of the Arizona Matsuri, scheduled for Feb. 21-22, 2015 in downtown Phoenix, AZ.
The Matsuri 2015 Haiku Expo aims to raise interest in the arts and culture of Japan. The Haiku event is now open to Arizonans for online entries and each entrant can submit up to three haiku free of charge with a submission deadline of January 24, 2015.
For more information:
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Japan's Spectacular Holiday Illumination!
It may be bold to say that Japan does holiday lighting like no other place on earth, but maybe these links with pictures and videos will support that view:
Tokyo Destinations & Shopping Districts!
The greater Tokyo area comes alive in winter with holiday lights, which now compete with the region's spectacular summer fireworks shows as a draw for visitors from all over Japan and the world. For an overview of some of the most popular venues, look here:
Kobe Luminarie!
To commemorate the loss and recovery related to the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995, the city of Kobe annually hosts one of the world's premiere "Luminarie" events for the first two weeks of December. See this celebration sparkle right here:
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Destinations
Travel to Japan This Winter!!
Japan has rebounded in tourism and affordability. Visit us and see all the reasons Japan is the place to visit this yer. Follow the link to "Affordable Japan" and get a glimpse of landscapes, food, inns, and events -- all in your budget.
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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Happy Holidays from the Consulate!
This newsletter is issued by the Japan Information & Culture Center
