Foreign Minister Taro Kono’s visit to San Francisco
2018/9/7
Minister and Mrs. Kono offering prayers at the Japanese Cemetery in Colma
Group photo, including Minister and Mrs. Kono (center), Consul General Uyama (second from right), and members of the Japanese Benevolent Society of California
From Thursday, August 23 to Friday, August 24, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, visited San Francisco for the first time as a sitting Japanese Foreign Minister in 17 years. The overview of the visit was as follows:
1. On Thursday, August 23, Minister Kono and Mrs. Kono visited the Japanese Cemetery in Colma and offered a wreath of flowers to honor those Japanese who came before them.
1. On Thursday, August 23, Minister Kono and Mrs. Kono visited the Japanese Cemetery in Colma and offered a wreath of flowers to honor those Japanese who came before them.
Minister and Mrs. Kono listening to stories from Military Intelligence Service (MIS) veterans at the MIS Historic Learning Center
Group photo, including Minister and Mrs. Kono (center), Consul General Uyama (second from left), MIS Veterans (seated), and leadership of the MIS Historic Learning Center
2. On the same day, Minister Kono and Mrs. Kono visited the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) Historic Learning Center in the Presidio of San Francisco. At the Center, Minister and Mrs. Kono were briefed about the missions of the linguistic unit comprised of second generation Japanese Americans (Nisei), followed by a talk with MIS veterans. Afterwards, Minister and Mrs. Kono observed exhibitions about the history of Japanese Americans in MIS.
Minister Kono delivering his remarks to a captive audience at the reception
Distinguished guests listening to Minister Kono’s remarks
3. Later, Minster and Mrs. Kono attended a reception hosted by Consul General Tomochika Uyama at his residence. Approximately 140 guests, including former U.S. Secretary of State Mr. George Shultz and Chief of Protocol of the City and County of San Francisco Mrs. Charlotte Mailliard Shultz, elected officials such as California State Assemblyman Mr. Ken Cooley, Japanese American community leaders, and other individuals associated with Japan.
Group photo, including Minister Kono (center), Consul General Uyama (left), and Silicon Valley Japan Platform members
Meeting with Japanese American Leadership Delegation alumni
4. On Friday, August 24, Minister Kono exchanged views with some involved with the Silicon Valley Japan Platform (SVJP) led by Co-Chair Dr. Daniel Okimoto. SVJP briefed Minister Kono on their activities to enhance the relationship between Japan and Silicon Valley. Minister Kono asked SVJP to share their experience and impress the importance of entrepreneurship upon the young generations in Japan.
5. Next, Minister Kono met with Japanese American Leadership Program (JALD) alumni. Minister Kono emphasized the importance of ties between Japan and Japanese Americans, and expressed his hope for them to have an opportunity to tell the history of Japanese Americans to the younger generations in Japan. JALD alumni explained their efforts to revitalize the exchange between Japan and the United States through the JALD program in addition to other methods.
5. Next, Minister Kono met with Japanese American Leadership Program (JALD) alumni. Minister Kono emphasized the importance of ties between Japan and Japanese Americans, and expressed his hope for them to have an opportunity to tell the history of Japanese Americans to the younger generations in Japan. JALD alumni explained their efforts to revitalize the exchange between Japan and the United States through the JALD program in addition to other methods.
6. Lastly, Minister Kono exchanged views with local academics over lunch on diverse topics such as Japan-U.S. relations, East Asian affairs, Middle East affairs, and economic affairs.
