Prime Minister Abe Attends the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit
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| Credit: Cabinet Public Relations Office |
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Prime Minister Shinzo Abe joined other world leaders at the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington, D.C. on March 31 and April 1. At the opening session, Prime Minister Abe said that in the wake of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, Japan has developed new regulatory requirements and will "share the lessons learned with all countries in order to expand the safety of nuclear power plants."
To learn more:
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Inaugural "Service in Japan Alumni" Celebration!
On March 24, active United States service members, reservists and veterans gathered at Consul General Harry H. Horinouchi's official residence for the first and inaugural celebration honoring U.S. service members, and their families, that have been station in Japan. With nearly 200 guests from a wide variety of military bases and organizations, it was a memorable event.
Press coverage of the event here:
 Cultural News
Beverly Press
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JBA 55th Anniversary Reception!
On February 25th, the Japanese Business Association of Southern California celebrated the 55th Anniversary of its founding at the residence of Consul General Harry H. Horinouchi. Among the distinguished guests were the Honorable Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles, and his highly esteemed father, Mr. Gil Garcetti -- community leader and also photographer -- introducing his beautiful new photo collection on Japan.
See more here:
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Mikoshi, Momotaro, Music, and More at Arizona Matsuri!
The Consulate General of Japan once again took part in the Arizona Matsuri, the 32nd annual festival at Heritage & Science Park in Phoenix, on February 27th and 28th. With an estimated 85,000 visitors over two days, people celebrated Japanese culture through performances, exhibits, demonstrations, and food!
To find out more:
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Tohoku Tomo Screening Highlights 3.11 Recovery Efforts
The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association of Southern California and Arizona, Occidental College's Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, and the Japan Foundation hosted a screening of the documentary film, Tohoku Tomo on March 18. The film, directed by JET Program alumus Wesley Julian, presents the international community's efforts to help affected areas rebuild.
To find out more:
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4th Annual Japan Bowl of California
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| Courtesy: Japan America Society of Southern California |
California high school teams battled for first place in the 4th annual Japan Bowl of California on March 12 at Loyola Marymount University. It drew competing teams from Northern and Southern California, and winners are sent to Washington, D.C. for the National Japan Bowl.
For more information:
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Don't Miss the Asia Pacific Film Festival
The 32nd Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival will be presented April 21-28, 2016 in Little Tokyo, Koreatown and West Hollywood.
Be sure to check out:
Persona Non Grata directed by Cellin Gluck
Saturday, April 23 (3:30pm) at Aratani Central Hall at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
The Great Sasuke directed by Mikiko Sasaki
Saturday, April 23rd (4:30pm) at the Japanese American National Museum
Rebel With a Cause: The Life of Aiko Herzig Yoshinaga directed by Janice D. Tanaka
Sunday, April 24 (1:00pm) at the Downtown Independent
Tuesday, April 26 (4:30pm) at the Japanese American National Museum
Zen and Bones directed by Takayuki Nakamura
Wednesday, April 27 (6:30pm) at the Downtown Independent
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New Exhibition to Showcase Museum's Textiles, Pottery and Other Treasures
The Mingei International Museum in San Diego will unveil treasures from its collection including textiles such as futon covers, kimonos and kimono belts as well as newly-acquired 19th century Shinto ema paintings. The museum will also display baskets, soba cups, tea kettles and pottery.
Learn more:
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New Shinkansen Route to Hokkaido Opens!
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Credit: Hokkaido Railway Co. |
Train travel in Japan's northern island of Hokkaido just got a lot more convenient with the opening of a new route on March 26 -- get all the information 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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G7 Hiroshima Foreign Ministers' Meeting
Group of Seven nations' foreign ministers met in Hiroshima on April 10-11 to discuss such topics as terrorism and violent extremism, the refugee issue, disarmament and non-proliferation and martime security.
Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and his counterparts from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union also visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
For more details:
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Japan Stands with Belgium
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida offered messages of condolence to their Belgian counterparts and the people of Belgium in the wake of the terror attacks in Brussels on March 22.
To read more:
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School Visits Programs in Full Swing!
Japan comes closer to Southern California's young people with the help of volunteer guest presenters in the Consulate General of Japan's School Visits program. Five sessions each with cultural artists and JET Program alumni made up the latest series.
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Student Wins Trip to Japan at San Diego Japanese Speech Contest
On March 20th, twenty students competed in the 19th Annual San Diego Japanese Speech Contest at La Jolla Riford Library. The winner of the university division received the Consul General Special Award and a month-long trip to study at Niigata Seiryo University, while the top three contestants in the high school division will be eligible to compete in the Japanese Language Scholarship Foundation All-USA High School Japanese Speech Contest this May.
For more details:
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Love to Nippon Events Mark 5-Year Anniversary of 3.11
On March 6, Love to Nippon held an event in downtown Los Angeles to observe the 5-year anniversary of the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami disaster.
The Love to Nippon programming included an Interfaith service, musical tributes to the Tohoku region affected by the disaster as well as information tables and booths.
For more details:
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Japanese American Leadership Delegation in Japan
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| Courtesy: U.S.-Japan Council |
The 2016 Japanese American Leadership Delegation sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited Tokyo and Kobe in early March and met with high-level leaders including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and members of the U.S.-Japan Parliamentary Friendship League. In Kobe, they participated in a public symposium titled, "Toward a Secure Society: Challenges in Diversity and Inclusion," co-sponsored by the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership and the U.S.-Japan Council.
To read more:
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Japan in 2016 Symposium
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| Courtesy: Japan America Society of Southern California |
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On March 1, the Japan America Society of Southern California held its Japan in 2016 Symposium, which featured leading experts on Japan.
Discussed topics included the Japanese economic outlook and business climate, U.S.-Japan bilateral security cooperation, and international affairs.
Mr. Shinya Katanozaka, President and Chief Executive Officer of ANA Holdings Inc., was the keynote speaker. Other speakers included Mr. Joseph Young, Director of the U.S. State Department Office of Japanese Affairs, Mr. Satoshi Kitahama, Kizuna Foundation Representative Director, and Mr. Hideo Miyake, President of the Japan Business Association.
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Culver City-Kaizuka 50th Anniversary
In February, Consul General Harry H. Horinouchi and Mrs. Horinouchi joined with Culver City councilmembers, community supporters and visiting marathon runners from Kaizuka to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Culver City-Kaizuka sister city relationship. Since 1965, the two cities have fostered various exchanges and are still going strong after half a century! To learn more and to view a video of the 50th anniversary celebration visit:
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Calling All Entries for 10th International Manga Award!
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will accept entries  for the 10th International MANGA Award from Friday, April 1 to Friday, June 17. Established in May 2007, the annual award offers manga artists and creators an opportunity to showcase their talent. Gold and Silver Award recipients will be invited to Japan by the Japan Foundation to attend an award ceremony. During their stay in Japan, recipients will meet Japanese manga creators and visit publishing companies.
For more details:
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New Non-stop Flights to Japan!
On February 11th, a new route from Los Angeles International Airport to Tokyo's Haneda airport was inaugurated by American Airlines. Now there are 10 non-stop daily flights linking southern California and Japan, with nine of them to and from LAX.
See more here:
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Celebrating 1 Million American Travelers to Japan!
Expanding the tourism sector and encouraging more overseas travelers to visit Japan has been an important policy goal for the past several years in Japan, and the Japan National Tourist Organization celebrated one million annual visits by Americans in 2015 - a new record.
See details on this expanding sector here:
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Destinations
Travel to Japan!!
Japan has rebounded in tourism and affordability. Visit us and see all the reasons Japan is the place to visit this year. Follow the link to "Affordable Japan" and get a glimpse of landscapes, food, inns, and events -- all in your budget.
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