Thank you to all who attended the interview with Mr. Kenichiro Sasae, Ambassador of Japan to the US. Lori Matsukawa, news anchor at KING 5 and a leader in the Japanese American community conducted the interview after Tay Yoshitani gave a few welcoming remarks explaining the vitality of the U.S.-Japan alliance. Ambassador Sasae also delivered a brief speech on the importance of the close ties between Japan and the United States, referencing President Obama’s recent visit to Hiroshima and how significant it was. After his speech, the Ambassador sat down with Lori and she asked for his thoughts on how the US and Japan collaborate on cyber security, US military bases in Okinawa, and the Memorandum of Cooperation that he signed with Governor Jay Inslee. The memorandum is a pledge to strengthen economic trade and also to ensure greater cooperation between the two entities in regards to technology, climate change, and other current issues. Ambassador Sasae also took some time to answer questions about immigration from the audience.

Our thanks to Ambassador Sasae for taking time out of his very busy schedule to talk to our community and to Lori Matsukawa for her insightful interview questions! This event would not have been possible without our community support- thank you to the Consulate General of Japan, Nisei Veterans Committee/Foundation, Keiro NW, JCCCW, JBA, Seattle JACL, Fukushima Kenjin Kai, Kumamoto Kenjin Kai, Shizuoka Kenjin Kai, Puyallup JACL, Kawabe Memorial House, Kayoko Fujita (EN Pacific Service), UW Nikkei Alumni, Hokubei Hochi, Japanese Presbyterian Church, Brenda Handley (Gobo Enterprises), Seattle Hiroshima Club, EDI.

We look forward to many more years of friendship between Washington and Japan!

Photo credit: Tom Kohler.