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from the Director |
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Welcome to the Japan Information
Center!
 The Japan Information Center (JIC) was established in 1968 as the cultural, educational and public affairs arm of the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, with a primary mission of promoting a better understanding of Japan and its culture and deepening the friendship between Japan and the United States in central and northern California and the state of Nevada.
The JIC, along with the Consulate General chancery, is located in the Financial District of the City of San Francisco to serve the general public. The JIC provides, for example, a variety of information and publications on Japan; has a large collection of books, DVDs and CDs that users may check out; and sponsors a variety of events including lectures and cultural programs (please click here for details of our services). Also, the JIC distributes an e-magazine entitled "Japan NOW," which features articles on U.S.-Japan relations, the Consulate's activities and local Japan-related events.
The JIC has a public space where a selection of Japanese daily newspapers, magazines and other publications are available for visitors to read during their visit. The space is also used to host various art exhibitions with a Japan-related theme, featuring local artists, throughout the year. Those artists from the Bay Area, Northern California or Nevada who are interested in exhibiting their works of art related to Japan are welcome to inquire about the availability of our public/art space exhibit area for displaying their works, regardless of whether they are professional or amateur, Japanese or American.
Some of the information the JIC provides is also accessible through the Internet. Our e-magazine, Japan NOW (Northern California and Nevada edition), can be subscribed to on our website by clicking here.
Since the arrival of the Kanrin Maru in San Francisco in 1860 with Japan's first diplomatic mission to the U.S., San Francisco has frequently played an important role at major turning points in the history of U.S.-Japan relations. The Consulate has recently commemorated such major milestones as the 50th anniversary of the signing in San Francisco of the 1951 Peace Treaty (in 2001) and the 150th anniversary of the establishment of U.S.-Japan relations (in 2003 and 2004). The Consulate General also participated in commemorating the centennial of two significant anniversaries related to U.S.-Japan relations (in 2006): the 100th anniversary of the Japan Society of Northern California, which has played an important role in promoting mutual understanding between our two countries; and the 100th anniversary of San Francisco's Japantown in its present location.
At the local level, 2007 marked the 40th anniversary of the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, which has provided an important venue for cultural exchange between people from Japan and the Bay Area for four decades. In the area of academic ties, the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of California at Berkeley commemorated the 50th anniversary of its establishment in 2008 as one of the oldest institutions focusing on Japanese Studies in the U.S.
In the course of our long history, these exchanges at different levels in various fields have served to strengthen the ties of this region with Japan. In addition to the various services I mentioned earlier, we at the JIC will continue to work with members of the local communities to further mutual understanding and exchange between Japan and central and northern California, and Nevada.
We look forward to serving your needs, and welcome questions, inquiries, comments and suggestions at japaninfo@cgjsf.org.
Sincerely,
Midori Yamamitsu
Director & Consul
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