Japan Now: 今年のワシントンDCで開催された『桜祭り』レポートなどです。在アメリカ合衆国日本大使の活動報告も含めてお伝えします。
Japan in the News
On Saturday, April 14, Ambassador Shinsuke J. Sugiyama and Mrs. Yoko E. Sugiyama joined the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade for the first time! The Parade was broadcast by the local WJLA news station and can be viewed online. Skip to the 35:26 minute mark to see Ambassador and Mrs. Sugiyama in their Parade car, a classic convertible, and hear the goodwill message of friendship from Ambassador Sugiyama.
Cherry Blossom Princess Program Celebrates 70th Year
The Embassy of Japan joined many of the key events for this year’s Cherry Blossom Princess Program, now in its 70th year. The Princess Program is organized by the National Conference of State Societies (NCSS) and welcomes international participants alongside those from US states and territories.
With cherry blossoms in full bloom behind him, Ambassador Sugiyama attended the ceremonial lighting of the Japanese Stone Lantern at the Tidal Basin and later hosted a reception at his Residence, with the princesses in attendance, celebrating the Japan-US friendship that blooms as beautifully as DC’s cherry trees. He also joined Senators, Representatives, and staffers at the annual Cherry Blossom Princess Congressional Reception. As a major highlight of the week-long Program, Deputy Chief of Mission Kazutoshi Aikawa helped to choose the 2018 Queen from the assembled Princesses at the NCSS Cherry Blossom Grand Ball by spinning the wheel of names. Congratulations to Margaret O’Meara of Virginia, the new Queen!
2018 National Japan Bowl Welcomed 30 Participating Schools From Across The United States
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2018 National Japan Bowl, who came out on top after a 2-day competition that challenged their knowledge of Japanese language and culture! DCM Kazutoshi Aikawa attended last week’s Championship Round and Awards Ceremony, hailing the high school students from across the country as a “foundation of the Japan-US relationship.”
The competition is divided into levels of increasing difficulty. The Level II and IV champions came all the way from Cupertino High School in California to earn their win, while the Level III champions are hometown heroes for the DC area, representing Langley High School in Virginia.
Japan-US Friendship… In Space!
A different sort of Japan-US friendship and cooperation was in focus on April 12, as Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai and his crewmate Scott Tingle spoke to local NPR station WAMU’s Joshua Johnson from the International Space Station.
Japan in the News
Ambassador Shinsuke J. Sugiyama recently wrote an Op-Ed in The Hill about the importance of addressing human rights alongside progress towards denuclearizaion in North Korea. “The world wants to know whether Kim Jong Un’s change in attitude is real. The American, Japanese and South Korean people have seen North Korea make promises before, including to three previous U.S. presidents, only to break those commitments. There is only one way North Korea can demonstrate sincerity in the lead-up to the talks with President Trump: Release the abductees.
North Korea has abducted hundreds of people from across Asia and around the world, and now it is time for them to be returned to their homes. Following commitments made by President Trump to press for the return of abductees during his recent summit in Mar-a-Lago with Prime Minister Abe, family members of the abducted Japanese citizens visited Washington, DC to raise awareness of this key issue. Hear more from the families of the abductees in this article in the Washington Post.
Japanese Leadership Strengthening the Global Economy
Finance Minister Taro Aso joined his counterparts from around the world in Washington, DC recently as they converged for the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings. During these sessions, the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from G20 Nations held meetings where Minister Aso discussed the risks facing the global economy, particularly from inward-looking policies. He remarked that “it is important to strengthen global growth through free and fair trade.”
Minister Aso also participated in discussions about the “Future of Work,” a term referring to the challenges facing workers as technology changes labor markets rapidly and unpredictably. He emphasized Japan’s view that education at various levels is key to enhancing the resiliency of affected workforces.
Food Ambassadors With Mary Beth Albright Visits The Embassy
The Washington Post’s Mary Beth Albright visited the Embassy to learn all about Japanese whiskey. She met with Embassy experts and Suntory’s “Whiskey Ambassador,” Gardner Dunn. History, culture, and, of course, amazing flavor all combine to produce award-winning whisky in high demand from overseas markets.
International Tourism Booming In Japan
Home to beautiful natural landscapes, high-tech modern conveniences, and world-famous hospitality, Japan is an easy choice for vacationers, and the Government of Japan attaches great importance to promoting Japan as a tourism-oriented country. Thanks to strategic efforts leading up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, Japan’s tourism numbers continue to rise, with another record-setting month this March! Will 2018 be the year you join the millions who experience Japan?
