On February 24, Consul Fukunaga and JIC Director Tajima visited Langston Hughes Elementary School in Chicago to participate in a language class on the “Japanese Class Parent’s Day.” Langston Hughes Elementary School has been offering Japanese language classes for over 15 years.

For the occasion, Principal Anita Muse and several staff members came to the class and exchanged opinions with the Consular Staff. Following this, children showed off their Japanese penmanship and performed the Japanese song “Musunde Hiraite” that they had learned in class.

From left, the photo shows JIC Director Tajima, Principal Anita Muse, Japanese teacher Mitsuko Rokuhira, Former Principal Gladys Johns, Principal Rochelle Riddick of the Special Education Department of the school, and Consul Fukunaga.

On February 19, Consul Fukunaga visited Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana to deliver a speech on Japanese-American relations. Following the presentation, he had an informal meeting with school representatives to discuss developing a collaborative relationship with the university.

Valparaiso University, founded in 1859, is proactive in recruiting international exchange students, and school representatives aspire to build a closer relationship with Japan.

The upper photo shows Consul Fukunaga (on the left) delivering his speech. The lower photo shows is a commemorative photo taken following the informal panel discussion. In the front row, from left to right, are Dr. Zhimin Lin, Dr. Jennifer Prough, Dr. Frederick Kavanaugh, Consul Fukunaga, Consular Staff Marisa Spasser, Associate Provost Renu Juneja, Dean David Rowland, Provost Mark Schwehn, and Ms. Kaori Naka (a Japanese exchange student at the university). In the back left corner are Dr. Gary Morris and Ms. Becky Shelton (Director of the Interlink English Language Program).

On February 7, Vice Consul Ameya (shown third from the left in the front row) attended the JET Program Alumni Association's Kansas City Chapter New Year’s Party, where he gave remarks.

The JET Program Alumni Association (JETAA) is a volunteer-run friendship organization formed in the 1980’s for former JET Program participants. JETAA aims to deepen mutual understanding between Japan and other countries that participate on the JET Program with its programs. JETAA is currently active in 16 countries with 51 local chapters and over 20,000 members worldwide.

On February 6, Francis Lemery, Executive Director of the Greater Kansas City Japan Festival Executive Committee, was presented with a commendation from the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Heart of America Japan America Society’s New Year’s Party. Consul General Hisaeda was originally scheduled to attend, but was unfortunately forced to cancel due to poor weather conditions while he was on a business trip to Washington D.C.. Vice Consul Ameya attended in his place to present Mr. Lemery with the certificate of commendation.

Mr. Lemery has made great contributions to the promotion of Japanese culture by planning and overseeing the Japan Festival, as well as serving as president of the Heart of America Japan America Society for five terms, and assisting with the Kurashiki City-Kansas City, Missouri Sister City exchanges. This commendation was presented to him in honor of these achievements.

From left, the photo shows Vice Consul Ameya, Mr. Francis Lemery, and his wife Ms. Charlene Lemery.

Click here to read an interview with Mr. Lemery about his reaction to receiving the award, and his feelings about his years of work in Kansas City.

On February 5, Deputy Consul General Kato attended the opening ceremony for the traveling “Dolls of Japan” exhibit (currently in Des Moines, Iowa) sponsored by the Japan Foundation, and presented remarks in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Iowa-Yamanashi Prefecture Sister State relationship. Close to 60 attendees enjoyed viewing 70 dolls representative of Japan’s time-honored doll culture, including dolls displayed during the Japanese Boys Festival and Girls Festival, dolls used in traditional theater performances like Bunraku, dolls from different regions in Japan, contemporary dolls made by industrial craftsmen, and so forth.

The upper photo shows Deputy Consul General Kato posing with the displayed dolls in the background, the lower photo shows DCG Kato with Senator Charles Grassley (R- Iowa) who also attended the event.

This exhibit will be on display at the Iowa State Historical Museum until March 31st.

On February 5, the Japan Information Center’s Director Tajima gave a presentation to students from suburban Chicago's Deerfield High School explaining Japan’s policies regarding the United Nations and its initiatives. The students were to represent Japan at the 22nd Model United Nations Conference. The Model United Nations Conference is a four day event with participation from approximately 125 schools and 2,400 high school students who meet to discuss current international issues, and vote on various initiatives. It is said to be one of the largest, most important High School level conferences held in the United States.

The photo shows Director Tajima (at center) with Deerfield High School students posing for a commemorative photo after his talk.

On January 31, approximately sixty people attended a “Tatezome” New Year’s tea ceremony at the Japan Information Center, co-sponsored by the The Urasenke Tankokai Chicago Association. Deputy Consul General Kato gave some remarks celebrating the New Year, and congratulating the Urasenke group on their fiftieth anniversary, which is this year.

On January 30, Deputy Consul General Kato traveled to Carmel , Indiana to present his New Year’s remarks at the Indiana Japan Chamber’s (IJC) Annual General Meeting. Over 120 people attended, including IJC members and their families. IJC is a friendship organization consisting of over seventy Japanese companies that conduct business in Indiana. IJC frequently cooperates with the local Japan America Society and other organizations to plan activities that promote positive Japan-America relations in Indiana. Additionally, Consul Hayashi had traveled to Indianapolis the previous day in order to offer Consular Services to local Japanese residents. He set up a table by the entrance to this General Meeting to provide services like overseas voter registration to the Japanese attendees.

The upper photo shows Deputy Consul General Kato presenting his remarks to the attendees of the General Meeting. The lower photo shows the consular services table at the IJC General Meeting venue.

On January 29, Consular staff traveled to Indianapolis and Columbus, Indiana to offer mobile consular services to local Japanese residents at two locations.

Over 80 Japanese residents came for services like passport renewal, updating family registers, requesting different types of certificates, overseas voter registration, and so forth.

The image at left shows Consul Hayashi (in the middle-background) offering consular services in a conference room rented from Enkei America Inc. in Columbus.

On January 9, Consular staff visited Saint Louis, Missouri to offer Consular Services to local Japanese residents.

Around 70 local residents came for services like passport renewal, updating family registers, requesting different types of certificates, overseas voter registration, and so forth.

Consular staff were also invited to attend the Saint Louis Japan Society’s New Year’s Party on January 10, the following day. Over 100 attendees from the local Japanese community and other related organizations celebrated the start of a new year at this lively event that featured violin and choral mini concerts.

The upper photo shows Consul Nakano explaining how to receive consular services to Japanese residents. The bottom photo shows Consul Nakano presenting a short speech at the New Year’s party.

On January 9, Deputy Consul Kato attended the Japan America Society of Chicago’s New Year’s Party, and gave a short speech offering New Year’s greetings to the attendees.

The Japan American Society of Chicago (JASC) is an organization comprised primarily of Chicago area Japanese and Japanese American residents. JASC promotes cross-cultural understanding between Japan and America through diverse events such as concerts, kimono wearing classes and so forth.