Japan-U.S. Friendship Celebrates the Emperor’s Birthday
The Emperor of Japan and Empress Masako
Stephen N. Potter (R), Chair of the Japan America Society of Chicago, makes a toast for the Emperor’s birthday with all the attendees
The 63rd Birthday Celebration of the Emperor of Japan was held on February 17 at the Consulate General of Japan in Chicago, and the people, who have been contributing to promote Japan-U.S. relationship through culture, education, music, service, business and other fields, attended.
The celebration was held in-person for the first time in three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a variety of Japanese sake, Japanese food and desserts, traditional toy of kendama, and sightseeing spots in Japan were introduced at the reception venue.
Consul General Hiroshi Tajima
In his remarks, Consul General Hiroshi Tajima welcomed the attendees and said, “I’m extremely happy to celebrate His Majesty Emperor’s 63rd birthday with you.” He expressed his appreciation to the representatives from Midwestern states and cities for traveling from remote areas and thanked all the attendees who have been working to strengthen Japan-U.S. relations.
On this happy occasion, Consul General Tajima announced the name of recipients of Emperor’s Award, Foreign Minister’s Commendation and Consul General’s Commendation in the year of 2022. He applauded each recipient for their hard works.
Consul General Tajima mentioned about Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden in Washington D.C. last month and said, “Our bilateral relationship is better as stronger than ever.” And then he talked about upcoming G-7 Hiroshima Summit which will be held from May 19 to 21 this year. He said, “The Summit will focus on protecting international order based on the rule of law and our alliance for play important rule leading G-7 discussions.”
He also said the strong bond between Japan and the U.S. is well-represented in the Midwest. Within the 10 states of his Consulate’s jurisdiction, over 35,000 Japanese nationals are living and 1,600 Japanese businesses are in their operations which employ more than 150,000 workers.
Recent years, more than 200 young Americans from the Midwest have been participating in the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) and living in Japan. His Consulate alone has dispatched 379 JET participants over the three years, and more will go to Japan this summer.
Consul General Tajima has focused on strengthening relationship among Japanese residents, Japanese Americans and Americans who are interested in Japan since he took his office in September, 2021. His consulate also has been working relentlessly to form and encourage people to people connections. Tajima himself has visited more than 30 cities in his jurisdiction.
There is also “Grass-root Caravan” which visits local communities in the 10 states where Japanese companies have their operations, so Tajima and the Caravan members have direct communication with the local people including local governments. This Caravan is a collaborative operation between the Consulate and JETRO Chicago. It has already made 26 visits.
People to people exchanges in the Midwest also increased. Last year, his Consulate had more than 15,000 visitors, issued 7,253 visas and 2,567 passports.
In his jurisdiction, 17 sister-state relations and sister-city relationship will celebrate their anniversary this year including Chicago-Osaka’s 50th anniversary.
Consul General Tajima said, “The future of Japan-U.S. friendship is bright because of you.”
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot greeted through video and congratulated the Emperor’s birthday.
Honorary Consul of Japan in Indianapolis, Pete Morse; Director of Nebraska Economic Development, Anthony Goins; and Immigrant Assistance Program Coordinator, Netti Lasko; represented Indiana Governor Erick Holcomb, Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul respectively to read their congratulatory remarks.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
Governor J.B. Pritzker
Governor Pritzker congratulated the Emperor’s birthday saying, “I’m thrilled that there’s finally an opportunity to celebrate this special occasion in person.”
He thanked Japanese and Japanese Americans’ contributions to his state and said, “In Illinois, we are always delighted to celebrate Japanese culture and bless your significant impact in our state.”
“We are proud to be home of over 1,000 Japanese companies that employ nearly 50,000 people. In fact, Illinois is home to more Japanese companies than any other states in the Midwest region. Out of all 50 states, we rate fourth in Japanese imports and number one for Japanese investors,” he announced.
Governor Pritzker celebrated partnership with Japan and said, “I extend our best wishes to the Emperor. Happy Birthday Emperor Naruhito and here’s to many more.”
Director Anthony Goins
Anthony Goins, Director of Nebraska Economic Development
Director Anthony Goins celebrated the Emperor’s birthday and said Nebraska’s relationship with Japan began over a century ago.
According to Goins, many Japanese immigrants came to Nebraska to work on railroad constructions and agriculture in the early 20th century.
He said they settled in Nebraska, raised families, became respective leaders in the state and enriched his state with Japanese culture, entrepreneurship and civic engagement.
Nowadays Japan is Nebraska’s trading partner. Goins said Nebraska has sent several trade delegations to Japan in recent years and received the greatest hospitality in Japan. “We are thankful for Japanese companies. They invested in our state that includes Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing, which operates in capital city of Lincoln over 50 years and has been manufacturing railcars since 1974.” Most recently Mitsubishi Heavy Industries made a major investment to produce hydrogen.
Goins said, “So thank you for the invitation to celebrate His Majesty’s birthday. May he prosper and be in a good health, and may the friendship between Japan and Nebraska.”
After the congratulatory messages, kendama performance was introduced by two Americans, Matt Sweets Jorgenson and Jake Wiens. The attendees were amazed by their breathtaking tricks.
Stephen N. Potter, Chair of the Japan America Society of Chicago, made a toast for the Emperor, and then all the attendees enjoyed sake tasting, Japanese food and conversations after an interval of three years.
Kendama Player Matt Sweets Jorgenson
Kendama Professional Jake Wiens demonstrates kendama.
What is kendama?
According to Sweets Kendama’s website, “Kendama is a hand-eye coordination tool and the world’s greatest boredom cure.”
Matt Sweets Jorgenson is the founder and President of the Sweets Kendama, a not-for-profit organization in Minnesota. He started to play kendama 13 years ago and has traveled most states in the U.S. and 30 countries in Europe and Asia to spread kendama. As a Japanese-culture lover, he has been to Japan for 15 times.
During his travel, he competes in kendama competitions, takes judge rules and films professional kendama players.
Originally he was a skateboarder and snowboarder and then he was drawn to the world of kendama.
Quick leaner Tajima, Consul General of Japan, gets kendama tricks within minutes.
He said, “I saw many opportunities to do tricks and to level up. As a competitor, I think kendama is a sport, not just for fun.”
It was 2014, he won a competition in France for the first time, and the prize was a special kendama which he really wanted.
He said kendama competition has been a common sport among people in many countries such as Japan, America, France and Amsterdam to name a few. Kendama, however, is still a minor game.
“My only goal is to teach more people because people don’t know what it is. I think people get to try kendama. They change their lives, and I change many people’s lives to just being a person. So we travel many places, try to gain new kendama players and sponsor them,”
Matt Sweets Jorgenson, founder and President of the Sweets Kendama
As a non-profit organization, Sweets Kendama has been working on after-school programs in Minnesota. Jorgenson and staff members do fundraiser, look for grants and also sell his kendama brands, so he can operate the organization and pursuit his goal.
“I enjoy difficulty of kendama. I love challenges, so when I saw kendama, I saw an enriched challenge. It was always enjoyment, and my enjoyment is turning into my life, so I love my life,” he said.