On June 24, Consul General Hisaeda attended a private reception celebrating the opening of Beyond Golden Clouds: Japanese Screens from the Art Institute of Chicago and the Saint Louis Art Museum, and presented a brief opening speech.

This exhibit of Japanese screens is co-organized by the Art Institute of Chicago and the Saint Louis Art Museum. The screens will be on display in Chicago until September 27, after which they will be on display in Saint Louis from October 18 through January 3. Because of their large size, these Japanese screens were a popular medium for prominent painters of different eras to paint large-scale works for presentation. The screens on display at this exhibit date from the 16th century to the modern age. These national treasures were selected from the collections of both museums. Included among the pieces on display is Koyo Omura’s master work “Blue Phoenix,” which has not been publicly exhibited since it was shown in Tokyo in 1921. This exhibit is a must-see for fans of Japanese art. (Please see the Art Institute of Chicago’s website for more details. Descriptions of the works are available in Japanese as well as English.)

The upper picture shows the Consul General presenting his speech. The lower picture shows the reception that followed the opening ceremony. Pictured from left to right are AIC President James Cuno, supervising curator Janice Katz, the Consul General's wife, and the Consul General.

On June 16, Consul General Hisaeda invited leaders from local police departments to his residence, to offer thanks for their cooperation in keeping local members of the Japanese community safe, and to discuss ideas about recent security issues, among other things.

The picture shows, from the left in the back row, Consul Hayashi, Consul Nakano, Chief of the Evanston Police Department Richard Eddington, Commander of the Airport Law Enforcement Section of the Chicago Police Department Thomas Argenbright, Commander of Area 3 Detective Division HQ of the Chicago Police Department Gary Yamashiroya, Consul General Hisaeda, and Consul Fukunaga. Seated from the left in the front row is Mrs. Nakano, Mrs. Sue Eddington, Ms. Marcia Campbell, Mrs. Aleksandra Yamashiroya, and Mrs. Hisaeda.

On June 14, novelist Mariko Hayashi presented a lecture at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the Chicago Suburbs. The Consul General, in cooperation with JAL and other member businesses of the Japanese Chamber of commerce and Industry of Chicago, put a great deal of effort into bringing this popular novelist and powerful public speaker to Chicago as a vitalizing force for the local Japanese community. The four hundred plus fans who attended the lecture enjoyed Ms. Hayashi’s humor-filled talk and a raffle for signed books.

The photo shows the Consul General presenting a souvenir to Ms. Hayashi.

On June 13, Consul General Hisaeda gave the opening remarks at the 28th Annual Mid America Japanese Club's Japan Festival, held in the Forest View Educational Center of Arlington Heights.

This year’s Japan Festival was themed “Edo-Tokyo,” and over the course of the weekend, approximately 9,000 people attended. While there, they were able to enjoy images from Edo-era Japan, demonstrations on bowmaking and martial arts, a taiko drum recital, and an array of Japanese food. The Consulate also displayed a booth, where we exhibited information on the Visit Japan Campaign, the JET Program, and the Tokyo 2016 Olympic Bid.

On June 12, Consul General and Mrs. Hisaeda hosted novelist Mariko Hayashi, who was visiting the Chicago area to present a talk, as well as other Japanese people active in the local community in a variety of fields, for an informal discussion at the official residence.

The picture shows the female attendees of the event. Depicted from left in the front row is Ms. Mari Yamamoto, Ms. Mayumi Shiozaki, Ms. Sanae Morita, Ms. Mariko Hayashi, Mrs. Hisaeda, and Ms. Miki Kato. Depicted from left in the back row is Ms. Yukiko Menda, Ms. Miyako Hasegawa, Ms. Yuki Miyamoto, Ms. Yasuko Mouri, and Ms. Yuko Yajima

On June 10, the International Summer Screenings Program raised its first curtain at the Chicago Cultural Center. This series runs every year with the support of the Chicago International Film Festival and the City of Chicago, as well as the assorted Consulates General of Chicago. The first film screened this year was Japan’s Hana (directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda). There was a full house as, due to its critical reputation, more than 300 cinema buffs crammed into the theater.

The picture shows Consul General Hisaeda before the screen giving his opening remarks.

On June 6, Consul General Hisaeda attended Yoshiko Hirata’s Trombone Recital at Chicago’s Concordia University. Ms. Hirata came to Chicago last August after receiving a study abroad fellowship from the Japanese Government Overseas Study Abroad Programme for Artists. This recital represented the culmination of her year of intensive study. Ms. Hirata beautifully executed a program of challenging selections by composers such as Paul Hindemith and Eric Ewazen, and received a heartfelt ovation from the audience.

Chicago is known for its many first-rate brass players and band leaders, and attracts brass musicians from all over the world who wish to study here.

On June 5, Consul General Hisaeda welcomed visiting lecturer and Osaka University Professor Kazuo Kawasaki to the official residence to present an informal talk to members of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago. Prof. Kawasaki discussed the current state and future direction of Industrial design in the world. Having presented two talks in the Chicago area, Professor Kawasaki will continue his lecture tour in New York and Washington, D.C.

Pictured from left to right in the front row are Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago President Tetsu Hayashi and his wife, followed by Professor and Mrs. Kawasaki and Consul General and Mrs. Hisaeda. Pictured from left to right in the second row are Mr. Hiroshi Iba of Toshiba Machine Co., America; Mr. Makoto Iwai of the Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago and spouse, Mr. Takuji Yamamoto of Omron and spouse; Professor Keiichi Satoh of the Illinois Institute of Technology, and JCCC Foundation Vice Chairman Seigo Kashii of Astellas Pharma US, Inc.

On June 4, Osaka University Professor Kazuo Kawasaki presented a keynote address entitled “Japanese Designs- From Eyeglasses to Artificial Organ Technology,” at the Japan America Society of Chicago’s 79th Annual Dinner, held at the Union League Club of Chicago. Prof. Kawasaki is a leading industrial designer in Japan. His innovative designs for eyeglass frames became popular in the US after receiving a great deal of media coverage when they were worn by Vice Presidential Candidate and Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin last fall. The lecture was commissioned by Consul General Hisaeda, and made possible with cooperation from the Japan Foundation.

Pictured from left to right in the front row are the Consul General and Mrs. Hisaeda, Professor and Mrs. Kazuo Kawasaki, and JASC President Ed Grant. From left to right in the back row are Ms. Eileen Hubbell, the Director of International Relations for the City of Chicago; JASC Vice President Shunichiro Kishioka, JASC Director Mari Yamamoto, and Ms. Terri Pizzuto.

On June 2, a conference was presented in Chicago addressing Japanese-language Saturday Schools in the jurisdictions of the Chicago and Detroit Consulates General. This conference, which seeks to strengthen bonds between Japanese Saturday Schools in the Midwest and improve their quality of education, has been held annually since 1986, taking place in a different state within the jurisdictions each year.

This year, the conference was attended by 45 representatives from 11 states and 19 schools. Consul General Hisaeda invited attendees to his official residence that evening for an opinion exchange session regarding the state of children’s education and Saturday schools in the local area.

The picture shows the Consul General presenting his speech.

On May 29, Consul General Hisaeda hosted a piano recital by Ms. Mio Nakamura at his official residence, with an audience of around forty specialists in Japan-America relations in attendance. The performance included famous pieces such as Debussy’s Night In Grenada and Schumann’s Abegg Variations.

Ms. Nakamura received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Roosevelt University, and is presently continuing her studies there. Her performance credits include a Tchaichovsky piano concerto presented with The Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest in October of 2008. The Consulate General of Japan at Chicago is committed to showcasing the talents of young Japanese artists active in the local community in this manner.

On May 29, The Japan Information Center at the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago presented the 16th annual Midwest Forum. Conference participants exchanged information about regional cultural exchange activities to promote positive Japan-US relations, as well as brainstorming strategies to address the challenges associated with these activities. This conference was established as the first of its kind in 1993, and has taken place every year since.

This year, participants included representatives from JETRO (the Japan External Trade Organization) , the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago, Honorary Consuls General and the Japan America Societies from our regional jurisdiction, the Chicago Japanese American Council, the Embassy of Japan in the US, New York’s Japan Foundation, and others.

In his opening speech, Consul General Hisaeda stressed the importance of creative thinking, private sector cooperation and networking amongst participants in creating effective activities to promote Japanese culture in the current harsh economic climate.

On May 27, Consul General Hisaeda and his wife went to Wrigley Field Baseball Stadium to visit Chicago Cubs player Kousuke Fukudome and offer encouragement. Fukudome is going strong as a member of the Cubs team, and his expression appears calm and cheerful. We hope that he continues to succeed and we will continue to cheer him on.

On May 23, at the invitation of Arlington Park Racetrack’s Chairman Richard Duchossois, Consul General Hisaeda attended the “Hanshin Cup” race and presented a trophy to the winning horse “Vacation,” ridden by jockey John Velazquez. Located in the Chicago suburbs, Arlington Park Racetrack is affiliated with the Hanshin Racetrack in Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture. Every year, the former hosts the “Hanshin Cup,” while the latter hosts the “Arlington Cup.” Said to be the most beautiful racetrack in the USA, Arlington Park is famed for horse racing’s first ever million dollar race in 1981.

On May 21, the Japan Information Center at the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago presented the “Sake Tasting Event for Professionals” event. Established last year with the cooperation from the Sake Export Association and others, the event served to promote sake’s increasing popularity and local interest in importing sake from Japan.

This year 35 varieties of sake were selected from 12 breweries and Japanese distributors. Over eighty restaurant and hotel industry professionals and small business owners attended the tasting.

The bottom picture depicts the Consul General discussing the “Sake Samurai” project during his speech. “Sake Samurai” is a title bestowed upon notable sake connoisseurs by the Japan Sake Brewers Association Junior Council, in order to promote sake and Japanese culinary culture on a global scale. At present, seventeen people (including some non-Japanese) have been presented with the “Sake Samurai” title, including Mr. Kenjiro Monji, Director-General of Public Diplomacy for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who is shown on the screen next to the Consul General.

On May 20, at the invitation of Plymouth, Minnesota’s McQuay International (a member of the Daikin group), Consul General Hisaeda presented a speech at the grand opening ceremony for the recently completed Applied Development Center. “As a Consul General of Japan in America, it is my proudest and happiest moment to attend an event such as this – when we can celebrate a Japanese company’s grand opening as we are doing today,” he stated.

This fifty two million dollar facility is outfitted with state of the art testing equipment for developing global models of large scale air conditioning units.

The picture above shows the Consul General presenting his speech. The picture below depicts guests at the ribbon cutting ceremony with the Consul General pictured 4th from the right. City of Plymouth Mayor Kelli Slavik stands to his left, with the Daikin Chairman of the Board and CEO Noriyuki Inoue standing to her left.

On May 19, Consul General Hisaeda gave a talk about Japan-America relations as part of the Chicago Rotary Club's weekly Lunch Meeting Series.

Chicago is the birthplace (in 1905) of Rotary International.

On May 16, at the invitation of the Chicago Botanic Garden, Consul General Hisaeda attended the Midwest Bonsai Society Spring Show, and had a pleasant chat with the participants.

The picture shows, from the left, the Consul General’s wife, Chicago Botanic Garden President and Chief Executive Officer Sophia Siskel, Chicago Botanic Garden Executive Vice President and Director Kris Jarantoski, and the Consul General.

On May 16, at the invitation of the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC), Consul General Hisaeda attended the opening ceremony for the Institute’s newly completed Modern Wing.

The above photo shows Director of the AIC James Cuno, who gave the opening remarks. Seated behind him, from the left, are President Obama’s Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, Chairman of the AIC’s Board of Trustees Thomas J. Pritzker, and the Italian architect who designed the Modern Wing Renzo Piano. The bottom photo shows Chief of Staff Emanuel and Consul General Hisaeda.

Mr. Piano is also well known in Japan as the architect who designed Kansai International Airport

On May 13, Consul General Hisaeda attended the 50th anniversary ceremony for the Ikebana International Chicago Chapter, held at Chicago’s Botanic Gardens, and expressed his congratulations. In a speech touching on their contributions to international exchange and cooperation, he praised the organization for its continued efforts.

On May 12, Consul General Hisaeda was invited to Chicago’s Jazz Showcase for a live performance by jazz trombonists Eijiro Nakagawa and Jim Pugh (on the left and right, respectively, in the photograph).

He appreciated the duo’s well-coordinated performance. Nakagawa and Pugh, also known by the name E’nJ, are two of the top trombone players in Japan and the United States. Their technique and presence have made them very popular, and they have sold many CDs. To hear them live is an exceptional experience.

On May 5th, at the invitation of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, Consul General Hisaeda attended a Holocaust Remembrance Service at the newly opened Illinois Holocaust Museum, and toured the grounds.

The picture shows the corner of the museum that displays the achievements of Vice Consul at Kaunas, Lithuania Chiune Sugihara. With the cooperation of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Diplomatic Archives, the Visa lists and original telegrams from Mr. Sugihara’s tenure are on display. Additionally, you can see images of Sugihara as well as others like him who saved Jews.

On May 2, Consul General Hisaeda welcomed Sanshi Katsura and his disciples to the Official Residence. Sanshi was visiting Chicago for his rakugo comedy performance. Together with Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Chicago executives, they exchanged views on the worldwide rakugo tour.

The photo shows Sanshi Katsura in the front row at the middle. In the back row, from the left, are Manager Noriko Magoshi, Sandan Katsura, Sanjaku Katsura, and Sanga Katsura making the famous “Welcooome!” pose.

On May 1, Consul General and Mrs. Hisaeda visited Iowa Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge at the State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa, and exchanged views on Japan-Iowa relations and Iowa’s economic affairs.

On May 1, the Consul General and Mrs. Hisaeda met with Helen Miller, chairman of the International Relations Committee at the Iowa House of Representatives, at the State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa.

The photo shows them standing in front of the seat of the Speaker of the House, at the Iowa House of Representatives.

On April 27, at the invitation of Northwestern University Bienen School of Music, Consul General Hisaeda (at the middle in the photo) visited the class of Professor Michael Mulcahy (at the right of the Consul General) and had a good conversation with the students.

Prof. Mulcahy is a trombonist in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which is said to have the best brass section in the world. As an instructor, he has a charismatic popularity, and many professional musicians from around the world come to Chicago to seek his lessons. Yoshiko Hirata, a trainee from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, is currently studying under him.

On April 22, Consul General Hisaeda invited local education experts and university faculty, including Northwestern University (NWU) President Henry Bienen, to the Official Residence, and they exchanged views on global intellectual relations in the Midwest and related issues. The Consulate considers intellectual exchange an important pillar of Japan-US relations, and is working hard to strengthen it.

The photo shows, in the front row, from left, Mrs. Hisaeda, Music Institute of Chicago Professor Sang Mee Lee, and Professor of Law at NWU Leigh Bienen. In the back row are, from left, pianist George Lepauw, NWU Music School Professor Michael Mulcahy, President Bienen, lawyer Douglas Cannon, Assistant Professor of History at Illinois State University Howard Romanek, Dean Emeritus of Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management Donald Jacobs, and the Consul General.

On April 20, Consul General Hisaeda attended a luncheon for the Consular Corps organized by DePaul University, and had a good talk with University officials and key Chicago area figures. DePaul is a Catholic University with the largest student body in the Midwest, making it the 8th or 9th largest in the U.S.

The top photo shows Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, President of DePaul University. The bottom photo shows Mr. Patrick Ryan, Chairman & CEO of Chicago 2016, who spoke as a guest speaker on the Chicago bid for Olympics 2016.

On April 17, Consul General Hisaeda had an interview with NBC5 Chicago News, and spoke passionately about the selling points and merits of Tokyo’s 2016 Olympic bid.

The city of Chicago is closely watching Tokyo’s moves, as the IOC evaluation commission is now in Tokyo after completing their visit to Chicago last week.

On April 16, Consul General and Mrs. Hisaeda visited Bodine Aluminum, Inc. plant in Troy, Missouri, and were briefed on the current conditions of the company from Takaaki Fukui, Executive Vice President(shown at the center in the photo).

The plant is a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing, North America, Inc., and manufactures engine brackets and other parts to supply mainly to Toyota.

On April 15, Consul General Hisaeda visited Jay Nixon, Governor of Missouri, at Capitol Hill in Jefferson City, MO. They exchanged their views on the promotion of economic relations and exchanges between Japan and Missouri.

On April 15, Consul General Hisaeda had a talk with Missouri Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder at the State Capitol in Jefferson City.

On April 14, the trombonist Yoshiko Hirata played at a small concert organized at the Official Residence. Around 40 eminent individuals from Japan and the US gathered to listen to classic pieces including ‘Elegy for Mippy II’ by Leonard Bernstein (accompanied by pianist Midori Saito). Hirata is an awardee on the Japanese Government Overseas Study Program for Artists administered by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. She has been studying trombone in Chicago since last summer.

The Consulate General of Japan seeks to promote local, young Japanese artists as part of cultural exchange activities between Japan and the USA.

"Tokyo Sonata," the Japanese film which was awarded the Grand Jury Prize at the 44th Chicago International Film Festival last October, was newly released at Chicago's Music Box Theatre. Prior to the April 12th screening, there was an award ceremony. Michael Kutza, founder and artistic director of the Film Festival, gave a trophy to Yukie Kito, the producer of Tokyo Sonata. After the premiere, Kito answered the many questions from film professionals, movie experts and fans who gathered at the occasion.

The photo shows, from left, Michael Kutza, Yukie Kito, and Consul General Hisaeda making an address to the audience.

On April 11, Consul General Hisaeda invited Yukie Kito and area film experts to the Official Residence. Ms. Kito, producer of the film "Tokyo Sonata," was visiting Chicago for the theatrical premiere of the movie. With his guests, Consul General Hisaeda exchanged views on the state of Japanese cinema and the introduction of Japanese movies to overseas audiences.

The photo shows, in the front row from the left, Mrs. Hisaeda, Loyola University Chicago Professor Laura Miller, Ms. Yukie Kito, University of Chicago Associate Professor Susan Burns, and the Consul General. In the back row from the left are Sitli Sidelines President John Iltis, Chicago International Film Festival Feature Film Programmer Mimi Plauche, and University of Chicago Assistant Professor Michael Raine.

On April 8, Consul General Hisaeda attended Chicago Futabakai Japanese Day School’s entrance ceremony, and gave the welcoming address. 20 elementary students and 10 junior high students entered the school.

Overseas Japanese children’s education is very important for activities by the Japanese people and companies as well as the vitalizaiton of the regional economy. The Chicago Futabakai Japanese School plays an essential role in this, and the Consulate General of Japan supports the school in many ways.

On April 7, at the invitation of the Chicago White Sox, Consul General Hisaeda attended the season’s opening game between the White Sox and the Kansas City Royals at US Cellular field, and had a good talk with business and political leaders of the Chicagoland area.

The photo shows Mr. Jerry Reinsdorf, owner and chairman of the Chicago White Sox, and the Consul General.

On April 4, Consul General Hisaeda invited Professor Eisaku Kanazawa, President of the Anthropological Society of Nippon, to the Official Residence, and exchanged views on the academic relations between Japan and the US. Professor Kanazawa was visiting Chicago to attend the 78th annual meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists.

The photo shows, from left, Yoshiko Hirata, trainee from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Professor Kanazawa, and Mrs. Hisaeda. In the back row are, from left, Consul Tajima, Vice Consul Menda, and Consul General Hisaeda.

On April 3, the Japan America Society of Chicago, All Nippon Airways (ANA), and the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago co-sponsored the premiere of the Japanese film 'Happy Flight' at the Japan Information Center. Around 120 Japanese and American movie fans gathered for the occasion.

The photo shows Consul General Hisaeda (from behind) making an opening speech to the audience.

Before the premiere of Happy Flight, there was a screening of an animated documentary short 'Megumi' about the North Korean abduction of Japanese citizens (produced by the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue, Government of Japan).

On April 2, Consul General and Mrs. Hisaeda attended the opening gala for the Illinois Holocaust Museum, and had a good talk with the area’s political and business leaders. The photo shows, from left, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn.

On March 30, Consul General and Mrs. Hisaeda visited Kikkoman Foods, Inc. in Walworth, Wisconsin, and were briefed on the current conditions of the company. The plant celebrates its 36th anniversary this year, and is Kikkoman's largest single-factory production plant in the world. 110,000 kiloliters (about 29 million gallons) of soy sauce are manufactured annually at the plant.

The photo shows, from left, Vice President Ryohei Tsuji, President Kazuo Shimizu, Director of JIC Akira Tajima, the Consul General and Mrs. Hisaeda.

On March 29, while they were visiting Chicago for a performance, Consul General Hisaeda invited "Koto Sound Team Kyara" to the Official Residence. He cheered them on and talked about the history of the team and the products of their exchanges with foreign countries through koto music.

The center of the front row in the photo is Ms. Kaori Nakamura, the leader of the team and a koto instructor, and both ends of the back row are Consul General and Mrs. Hisaeda.

On March 25, Consul General Hisaeda invited members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to his Residence and exchanged his views on their performances during a tour of Japan from January 31 to February 24.

The photo shows, in the front row, from left, Principal Percussionist Cynthia Yeh, CSO President Deborah Card, and Mrs. Hisaeda. In the back row are, from left, Principal Trumpeter Chris Martin, Agency for Cultural Affairs trainee Yoshiko Hirata (trombone), and the Consul General.

On March 21, Consul General Hisaeda, together with the Consular Corps of Chicago, attended an NBA game between the Chicago Bulls and the LA Lakers at the United Center. The photo shows the host of the day Jim Reynolds, chairman of Loop Capital Markets, LLC and Consul General Hisaeda.

Along with baseball, basketball is a popular sport in Chicago. President Obama, an avid fan of the Chicago Bulls (the team the famous Michael Jordan used to play for) enjoys playing basketball in his time off.

On March 21, the 23rd Annual Japanese Speech Contest in Chicago was held at the Japan Information Center at the Consulate General of Japan. The contest was sponsored by the Consulate General of Japan, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago, the Japan America Society of Chicago, the City of Osaka Chicago Office, and the Chicago Sister Cities International Program Osaka Committee. This year there were 84 applicants, and 39 contestants who won the preliminary round delivered their speeches in excellent Japanese.

In the front row of the photo are the Consul General, the judges and the representatives from the sponsoring companies. From the second row are the contest winners.

On March 11, Consul General Hisaeda attended Chicago Futabakai Japanese Day School’s graduation ceremony as a guest of honor, and gave the commencement address. 16 students graduated from the elementary school.

Overseas Japanese children’s education is very important for Japan as well as the success of Japanese companies here, and is thus critical for the development of the area economy.

The Chicago Japanese School plays an essential role in this, and the Consulate General of Japan supports the school in many ways.

On March 7, Consul General Hisaeda attended Chicago Futabakai Japanese Saturday School’s graduation ceremony as a guest of honor, and gave the commencement address. 96 students graduated, including 5 from the high school, 34 from the middle school, and 57 from the elementary school.

Japanese children’s education is very important for Japan as well as the success of Japanese companies, and is thus critical for the development of the area economy.

The Chicago Japanese School plays an essential role in this, and the Consulate General of Japan supports the school in many ways.

On March 5, Consul General Hisaeda invited teachers and staff of Chicago Futabakai Japanese School to the Official Residence. For their hard work, he thanked those teachers who had completed their terms in Chicago and were returning to Japan in March. He also exchanged his views on education in the United States with them.

The photo shows, in the front row, from left, Principal of Chicago Futabakai Japanese Day School Shoji Matsudaira and Mrs. Matsudaira, President of Futabakai Tetsuaki Masuda, Consul General Hisaeda, Principal of Saturday School Masaru Sakai and Mrs. Sakai. In the back row, from left, Mr. and Mrs. Yoshiharu Iizuka, Ms. Tomoko Konishi, Ms. Misato Ito, Mr. and Mrs. Satoshi Ida, Mr. and Mrs. Toshiya Tada.

On March 3, Consul General Hisaeda visited the Illinois Holocaust Museum which is under construction in the Chicago suburb of Skokie. Project and Executive Director Richard Hirschhaut (to the left in the photo) gave the Consul General a tour of the museum, including the permanent exhibition on Chiune Sugihara, former vice-consul of the Consulate of Japan in Kaunas, Lithuania. The Museum will open in April this year.

On February 28, Consul General Hisaeda invited Japanese language teachers to the Official Residence to discuss the current situation and issues facing Japanese language education at their schools. The teachers came to Chicago for Japanese language-teaching workshops co-organized by the Consulate General of Japan and the Illinois Association of Teachers of Japanese.

Japanese language education in the US plays an important role in bettering Americans’ understanding of Japan. The Japanese language is a means of building friendship with Japanese people as well as learning about Japan. The Consulate General of Japan at Chicago is working on the promotion of Japanese language education in the Midwest through these workshops for Japanese language teachers, Japanese speech contests, and cooperation with the Association of Teachers of Japanese.

The top photo shows, from left, Cliff Darnall, Hiroko Darnall, associate professor Nobuko Chikamatsu, and Laura McGlone. The bottom photo shows, from left, Shingo Satsutani, Chicago Public Schools Senior Specialist Amy Hammerand, Karla Vescovi, and Ryoko Manabe.

On February 27, Consul General Hisaeda attended a decoration ceremony at the Japanese Embassy in Washington D.C. The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers was presented to Walter Mondale, former US ambassador to Japan, former US senator and vice-president. The former ambassador has deep ties with the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago as he is a resident of the state of Minnesota. The photo shows, from the left, Daniel Inouye, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Mr. and Mrs. Mondale, the ambassador of Japan to the US Ichiro Fujisaki, and Mrs. Fujisaki.

On February 25, Consul General Hisaeda gave a talk entitled 'Japan and America: Building Upon the Ichiro Effect.' The event was organized by the Japan America Society of Chicago, and held at the Union League Club of Chicago. The photo shows the Consul General answering questions from the audience. At his right is the MC Michael Moskow, Chairman of the Japan America Society of Chicago and former President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

On February 24, Consul General Hisaeda attended a luncheon organized by Rotary International at the Union League Club of Chicago, where he met with political and economic leaders from the Chicagoland area. The photo shows guest speaker Richard Daley, mayor of Chicago, addressing the audience. At the far left is Consul General Hisaeda's back.

The lower picture shows the Consul General and Arol Ausburger, President of Rotary Club of Chicago, which was founded in 1905. It is the oldest (and first) chapter of Rotary International, whose world headquarters is located in the Chicago suburb of Evanston. Current membership in the Rotary Club of Chicago is 745, while worldwide 1.2 million Rotarians serve in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.

On February 3, Toshio Kobayashi, professor at the National Institute of Multimedia Education (NIME), who was visiting Chicago for his lecture on distance learning, was invited by Consul General Hisaeda to the Official Residence, along with scholars involved with the lecture. The photo shows, from left in the front row, Minako Yoshikawa, associate professor Nobuko Chikamatsu, professor Toshio Kobayashi, Consul General Hisaeda, and assistant professor Yuki Miyamoto. From left in the back row, Consul Fukunaga, Vice Consul Menda, and Consul Tajima.

On January 30, Consul General Hisaeda hosted the Abraham Lincoln 200th Birthday Drawing Contest Awards Ceremony. The contest was organized by the Consulate General of Japan and Chicago Futabakai Japanese School (Day School and Saturday School), and the awards went to the Futabakai students with the best paintings.

The photo shows in the front row, from the left, Rikuhito Ueki, Nae Minakawa, Rira Miyake, Sora Ishikawa, Mahiro Sena and Takuro Otani. In the back row, from the left, Takahito Ueki, Souichiro Yamashita, Taisuke Okada, Ayana Takizawa, Natose Sakai, Touko Okada, Mako Kuwayama and Momoka Tsunekawa.

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On January 27, Consul General Hisaeda invited executives from the Japan America Society of Chicago and leaders of the local business community to the Official Residence for an event to promote corporate membership at the Japan America Society. The photo shows executive vice president of the Chicago Botanic Garden Kris Jarantoski giving a presentation.

On January 24, Consul General Hisaeda gave New Year greetings to more than 150 members and their families gathered at the Indiana Japan Chamber Annual Meeting held in Carmel, Indiana. The Chamber is a mutual aid association composed of around 80 Japanese corporations in Indiana that organizes activities in cooperation with the Japan America Society of Indiana to promote Japan-US relations.

The top photo shows, from left, Theresa Kulczak, Executive Director, Japan-America Society of Indiana, Tatsuro Kobayashi, Vice President of the Indiana Japan Chamber, Kimitake Tomizawa, Chairman, Steering Committee of the Japanese School, Consul General Hisaeda, and Satoshi Maenuma, President of the Indiana Japan Chamber.

The Consul General had a good talk with famous jazz singer Everett Greene (bottom photo, second from left), who attended the New Year’s party. Greene’s favorites are standards and soul music, and he has performed in Japan, too.

On January 23, guided by Michael Poirier, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, Consul General Hisaeda went on an architectural tour of Wright’s home-studio and other houses in Oak Park.

On January 21, Consul General Hisaeda invited staff and Japanese students from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management to the Official Residence and discussed the current situation of the Kellogg School, foreign students, and Japan-US economic relations. Many of the Japanese students at the school are sent here by Japanese companies.

On January 12, Consul General Hisaeda attended and gave a speech at the opening ceremony for the Japan Foundation traveling exhibition 'The Spirit of Budo' in Fort Wayne, Indiana. We believe that this Japanese arts exhibition, held at cities like Fort Wayne, which is not a major Midwest city, is a meaningful way to promote understanding of Japan and Japan-U.S. exchange at the local community level.

On January 11, the annual Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Chicago New Year Party was held at Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center. About 1070 Japanese including JCCC members and their families attended the event. The photo shows Consul General Hisaeda giving a new year greeting.

On January 10, Consul General Hisaeda invited Ikkokudo, a ventriloquist who was visiting Chicago for his performance, and JCCC officers to his official residence.

On January 7, Consul General Hisaeda gave a lecture about Japan-America relations and other subjects at Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.

On January 6, Consul General Hisaeda invited the ‘Blue-Eyed Dolls’ visit U.S. delegation* from Damine Elementary School in the town of Shitara in Aichi prefecture. The group is visiting Chicago for their kabuki performance, and the Consul General cheered them on. Damine Elementary maintains a 350-year-old pledge that the children of their village learn and perform kabuki dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy.

The top photo shows Consul General giving a welcome speech. The six students performing kabuki are, in the front row from the left, Yuki Goto, Akinobu Inaba, Satsuki Kanda(in pink sweater), and in the rear row from the left, Takumi Yamamoto, Ren Takeshita and Ayaka Yoshiyama. The bottom photo is a group picture of the teachers, parents and alumni of the school.

(*) In 1927, Dr. Sidney Lewis Gulick, a Japan enthusiast who was worried about the downturn in Japan-US relations, organized a campaign and gathered together about 12,800 ‘Blue-Eyed Dolls’ with the help of 2.6 million American citizens, and sent them to Japanese children as little ambassadors of goodwill from the US. After the war, only 280 dolls survived in Japan, including the one discovered at Damine Elementary School. In 1990, for the Blue-Eyed Doll’s homecoming, Damine started a grassroots exchange with the school in the Midwest which donated the doll.