Celebration of the Emperor’s Birthday and Japan-U.S. Kizuna, Strong Bond
Chairman Stephen Potter of the Japan America Society of Chicago makes a toast to wish for the continued health of Their Majesties Emperor and Empress, and for the people of the two countries.
The Japanese Emperor's Birthday Celebration was held on February 23 at the Japan Information Center, the Consulate General of Japan in Chicago. The distinguished guests from U.S.-Japan relations, cultural exchange, and education gathered to celebrate the Emperor's 64th birthday.
Aya Ito sings the national anthem of both Japan and the United States.
The celebration started with the national anthem of both Japan and the United States, sung by Aya Ito.
Governor Tony Evans of Wisconsin, Governor Laura Kelly of Kansas, and Governor Jim Pillen of Nebraska sent congratulatory video messages, and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul's congratulatory message was read at the event scene.
Consul General Jun Yanagi welcomed all the guests to the celebration. In his remarks, he said, “I am particularly grateful for our ‘Seven Samurais’ or Honorary Consuls who represent Japan across our 10 states in the Midwestern region,” and introduced them to the guests.
From left, HC Andrew Seaborg, HC Andrew Schilling, HC Peter A. Morse, Jr., CG Jun Yanagi, HC James Satoshi Kaki, and HC Ron Leonhardt
They were:
- Mr. Peter A. Morse, Jr., Indianapolis, Indiana
- Mr. James Satoshi Kanki, Kansas City, Kansas
- Mr. Andrew Schilling, Omaha, Nebraska
- Mr. Ron Leonhardt, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Mr. Andrew Seaborg, Madison, Wisconsin
- Mr. Stephen B. Knapp, St. Louis, Missouri
- Ms. Carol Grant, Des Moines, Iowa
The last two persons were unable to attend the reception.
In the celebration of the birthday of the Emperor, CG Yanagi talked about the Emperor and his family activities saying, “Reflecting the past years, as a symbol of the state and symbol of the unity of the people of Japan, His Majesty the Emperor with Her Majesty Empress has been dedicated to the country and his people day and night. This past June, Their Majesties Emperor and Empress made a state visit to Indonesia as their goodwill mission abroad since his ascension to the throne.”
CG Yanagi also reminded the guests that this year marked 30 years since the state visit by then Their Majesties to the U.S. in 1994.
“This year, since the Noto Peninsula Earthquake that occurred on the new year’s day, Their Majesties have been caring for the victims and devoted to the earliest possible recovery,” Yanagi continued.
CG Yanagi noted that warm messages of sympathy and offers of assistance following the Noto Peninsula earthquake were received from President Biden, governors of various states, mayors of sister cities, and Japan America Societies across the U.S. He expressed his gratitude for the goodwill that embodied profound bone of the bilateral friendship between the people of the U.S. and Japan.
CG Yanagi then spoke of his honor to serve the U.S. at a time when Japan-U.S. relations went as closer allies stronger than ever, and spoke of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's official visit to the U.S. in April at the invitation of President Biden.
CG Yanagi indicated that Prime Minister Kishida would make a presentation in the U.S. about a gold opportunity to show the world that the two countries are united in standing up for a free and open international order.
Regarding the strong solidarity of the two countries, he said, “This global partnership by kizuna, strong bond and friendship, that unite our two peoples. This bond was nurtured by hard work for people-to-people interactions of every one of you.”
He also talked about Japan’s contribution to the U.S. economy. In his 10 states jurisdiction, 35,000 Japanese nationals have been living in a harmony with their local communities, and 72 sister-state and sister-city relations have been established.
Japan has been the world’s number one investor to the U.S. for four consecutive years and has created one million U.S. jobs. In the Midwest alone, more than 1,500 Japanese business facilities have created over 150,000 U.S. jobs that contributed to the prosperity of local communities.
CG Yanagi said, “All of these are the foundation of our strong global partnership,” and thanked Japan America Societies, Japanese Chambers, Japanese nationals, Japanese Americans, JETAA, JETRO, “and many other people who have been building up multiple layers of human connections.”
Next on the stage, Chairman Stephen Potter of the Japan America Society of Chicago made a toast to wish for the continued health of Their Majesties Emperor and Empress, and for the people of the two countries.
Sake Sommelier Sawako Kojima of the Japan Information Center introduces several different types of Japanese sake to the guests.
At the reception venue, Sake Sommelier Sawako Kojima of the Japan Information Center introduced several different types of Japanese sake, and CG Yanagi’s Chef Akiko Nishimura prepared Japanese cuisine for the guests.