The ITSUKUSHIMA Visits San Francisco

On Friday, May 9, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Academy training ship ITSUKUSHIMA arrived at the Port of San Francisco after sailing for 2 weeks across the Pacific Ocean from Hiroshima, Japan. San Francisco is the very first stop on ITSUKUSHIMA’s maiden voyage as the successor to KOJIMA, which retired last year after three decades of service. The ITSUKUSHIMA is currently on a 3-month deep sea training voyage with new JCG officer candidates, and was welcomed into port by the Consulate General of Japan, members of the Japanese American community, and local students who greeted the crew in Japanese and English.

The following day, the crew of ITSUKUSHIMA hosted tours of the vessel in the afternoon for members of the public. Over 400 visitors experienced a window to daily life on the training vessel, including a glimpse of the special training bridge, navigation methods, crew quarters, and common areas.

On Monday, May 12, the ITSUKUSHIMA hosted an onboard reception and hosted guests from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) alongside representatives from the local and international community. ITSUKUSHIMA Captain Mizouchi, Consul General Yo Osumi, and USCG PACAREA Commander Vice Admiral Andrew Tiongson delivered remarks to the assembled guests. Consul General Osumi presented commendations to Mr. Kozo Kimura and Mr. Yasuaki Miura, former Presidents of Hokka Nichi Bei Kai (JAANC), in addition to Vice Admiral Tiongson, in honor of their many years of service and generosity in hosting Coast Guard visitors from Japan.

JCG Academy Superintendent Naoki Tsutsui also joined the reception and gave a special acknowledgement to Ms. Seiko Fujimoto, Executive Director of the Japanese Benevolent Society of California. The program was followed by an evening filled with Japanese cuisine and demonstrations of Japanese martial arts and calligraphy from the crew.