Remarks - Consulate General of Japan

JCCNC Farewell BanquetRemarks by Consul General Yasumasa NagamineJuly 21, 2010Ladies and gentlemen:Thank you very much for hosting this dinner as we prepare to leave for Japan afterthree wonderful years in Northern California.I would like to thank our friends at the Japanese Chamber of Commerce inNorthern California, the Japan Society, the Japanese Cultural and CommunityCenter of Northern California, and every one of you for being so kind as to hostthis banquet.Normally, I think that it would be the Consulate office that would invite all of youto a farewell dinner at the end of the Consul General’s assignment.But somehow things are always special in San Francisco, and here it seems to bethe tradition that the Consul General is instead invited by all of his friends.My wife and I certainly have no complaints!After three wonderful years, it is very difficult to leave San Francisco.1

I have also been glad to assist many leading Japanese economists in joining forumshere to promote Japan-California cooperation for economic recovery.Finally, under President Obama’s administration, there has been a new emphasison railways and high-speed rail.Japan has striven to become increasingly proactive in its cooperation withCalifornia in this sector.Though we still have a long path in front of us, I am certain that the Consulate willcontinue to be at the forefront in promoting California-Japan collaboration.So in the area of US-Japan relations, we have seen some great achievements.However, Japan and the United States continue to face many common challengeswhich we must address together in the future.The third pillar I emphasized in 2007 was public diplomacy and raising awarenessabout Japan in this region.I always told my colleagues that fifty percent of their work should be outside of theConsulate office and involved with the public.Japanese culture has thrived here in Northern California even in the face ofchallenges.We were all saddened to see the end of two important Japanese newspapers and aJapanese radio station in recent years.4

Yet despite such unfortunate circumstances, we have striven to increase knowledgeabout Japan and our Consulate’s activities.I have been fortunate to witness a flourishing of Japanese cultural events duringthis time, including bunraku performances, kabuki, and a samurai exhibition atthe Asian Art Museum, just to name a few.I am also quite proud of the emphasis we have put on sister city relationships topromote mutual understanding.I am delighted that we now have 97 sister city relationships in California and amcertain that we will reach 100 very soon.Relatedly, I do hope that all of you will be able to support the America-JapanGrassroots Summit taking place in late August in the San Francisco Bay Area.200 Japanese participants will be arriving for this friendship event to participate onhomestays and form bonds with California citizens.I anticipate that it will be a very memorable event.Last but not least, my fourth objective has been to further the relations betweenJapan and the Japanese American community.I am especially proud of our accomplishments here.If I had not been blessed with such dedicated colleagues in the community, thiswould not have been possible.5

We saw the great success of last summer’s US-Japan Summit held with the alumniof the Japanese American Leadership Delegation.Together, we were able to open the way for many new Japanese Americancontributions to the Japan-US relationship in the future.Most of all, I have been happy to get to know so many of you and your stories.In order for the government and the Japanese American community to worktogether, it is important for us to know each other.I believe this means grasping the prewar and postwar history of JapaneseAmericans and how they rose to meet unimaginable challenges.I have never had an experience like joining the pilgrimages to Manzanar and TuleLake.I remember the scene very clearly when I had the honor of addressing thethousands of pilgrimage participants there.I can still see the blue sky, the snow-capped mountains, and the harsh desertscenery in my mind.For me, this was the moment when I truly felt that I had understood somethingvery central to the Japanese American experience.I believe that we are now entering into a new phase of cooperation between Japanand Japanese Americans on bilateral relations.6

I am proud to have played my part in this development with all of your help.Finally, let me touch briefly upon this year’s celebration of 150 years of Japan-UScontact.I am sorry that I will not be able to witness the conclusion of the celebrations here,but I am so glad to have hosted so many successful events together.We received many positive responses about the Kaiwo Maru’s grand arrival anddeparture from San Francisco.I can still hear the sounds of the salute from the ship mast and the calls of gokigenyou, “fare ye well.”I would like to thank the Kanrin Maru 150th Anniversary Executive Committeeand all of you for your dedication to this special anniversary.My wife and I will be leaving for Japan very soon, on the ninth of August.Though my next assignment has not yet been officially announced, I look forwardto letting you know as soon as it is made public.But wherever we are, we will always feel like Californians and San Franciscans.Whatever we can do to promote Japan-California and Japan-US relations, we will.And if you come to Japan, please let us know—we will be waiting for your visit.Thank you again for everything.7