July 2 - The Embassy will be closed July 3 in observance of Independence Day. On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, approved the Declaration of Independence, severing the colonies' ties to the British Crown. The United States’ population has grown from an estimated number of 2.5 million people living in the newly independent nation in July 1776 to 307 million, the nation’s population on this July Fourth, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Fourth of July 2009 “Facts for Features.” More about the holiday on America.gov

July 1 - The Tokyo Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) will meet on Thursday, July 9 at 4:00pm at the Embassy. This month's guest speaker is Ryan W. Garvey, the Coordinator for Information Security and Cyber Threats for the Research and Information Support Center, U.S. Department of State. Mr. Garvey will discuss Understanding Trends in Cybercrime and the new Chinese software Green Dam, which is causing concerns in the private sector. The Overseas Security Advisory Council, created in 1985, promotes security cooperation between the State Department and American enterprises operating abroad. Please call the Embassy at 03-3224-5583 to register to attend.

July 1 – Both the Treasury and the State Departments announced on June 30 that they have targeted North Korea's proliferation networks by designating entities under Executive Order 13382. The Treasury Department’s press release stated that it targeted North Korea's missile proliferation network by designating Hong Kong Electronics, and the State Department’s press release noted that it targeted North Korea’s nuclear proliferation network by designating Namchongang Trading Corporation. Executive Order 13382 freezes the assets of designated proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters and prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in any transactions with them, thereby isolating them from the U.S. financial and commercial systems.

June 30 - Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy visited Tokyo June 24-26 for discussions with representatives from the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other parts of the government, Diet members from across the political spectrum, and defense analysts. She paid a courtesy call on Minister of Defense Yasukazu Hamada (pictured). In a roundtable with Japanese media, she described her consultations as "a testament to the importance that the United States ascribes to our alliance with Japan and our commitment to consult broadly and deeply on a broad range of issues."

June 29 – Earlier this month, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, in her statement in recognition of Gay and Lesbian Pride Month 2009, urged advancement of “a comprehensive human rights agenda that includes the elimination of violence and discrimination against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity.” On June 18 in Washington, Secretary Clinton announced that the Department of State “is extending the full range of legally available benefits and allowances to same-sex domestic partners of members of the Foreign Service sent to serve abroad.” On July 20, the Tokyo American Center will participate in a seminar on same-sex marriage hosted by the Embassy of Sweden in Tokyo.

June 25 – The White House Office of the Press Secretary issued a press release on June 24 stating that the nomination of John Victor Roos of California to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Japan was sent to the Senate.

June 24 - Embassy officer Deanna Ayala demonstrated baking American-style homemade cookies with her daughter in an interview taped for the "Asahi Pop 'n' Press" show aimed at introducing Japanese young people to English-speaking cultures. The episode will be aired on June 27 on Hokuriku Asahi Hoso and on Asahi Newstar on July 4. Find out more about American food and food culture, in Japanese, at www.myfood.jp.

June 23 – In a statement released on June 20, World Refugee Day 2009, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton pointed out the fortitude and spirit of refugees, saying, "On this World Refugee Day, I urge all of us to seek ways large and small to support the millions of people around the world who hold the same dreams we do—whose strength and courage are unsurpassed—but who have been dislocated by crises beyond their control and are now hoping that the world will remember them and continue to fight on their behalf for a better future."

June 22 - Charge d’Affaires James P. Zumwalt recognized Chef Nobu Matsuhisa as an "Honorary U.S. Food Ambassador" to Japan on June 19 at a ceremony at the Ambassador's residence. Chef Matsuhisa was honored for being "one of the top creative minds in the American food scene for many years, with a unique ability to create a special connection between American and Japanese cuisine." Following the presentation, Chef Matsuhisa unveiled a special American Independence Day menu inspired by the Obama White House where First Lady Michelle Obama has made healthy eating and food education an integral part of her public outreach efforts. More about American food culture

June 19 - In cooperation with the Japan Association for Refugees, the Embassy hosted a Refugee Workshop on June 12 for Asian and Japanese NGOs, international organizations, and guests from the government of Japan. With approximately one half of all refugees worldwide from Asian countries, the goal of the workshop was to help lay the groundwork for closer cooperation between Asian governments and Asian civil society for a proactive regional solution. Adam Zerbinopoulos, Deputy Refugee Coordinator from U.S. Embassy Bangkok, and Christine Petrie, Deputy Director of the International Rescue Committee, detailed U.S efforts at refugee resettlement. The State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration provides aid and sustainable solutions for refugees.

June 18 – The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution (H.Res.479) on June 15 honoring the contributions of Takamiyama Daigoro to sumo and to U.S.-Japan relations. A press release from Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), who introduced the bill, notes Hawaiian-born Takamiyama's "trailblazing career in the one of the world’s most tradition-rich sports as he begins his retirement."

• H.Res.479 text on non-governmental "Govtrack" site

June 18 - The Democracy Video Challenge announced six winners on June 16. Online voters selected a winner from each region of the world (the Western Hemisphere, Europe, Middle East, Africa, South and Central Asia and East Asia) from over 900 submissions representing 95 countries. The winners are: Chansa Tembo (Zambia), Aissa Pe?afiel (Philippines), Lukasz Szozda (Poland), Tsering Choden (Nepal), Rodin Hamidi (UAE) and Anna Israel (Brazil).

View the winning videos on YouTube

June 17 – In her remarks at the June 16 release of the State Department’s 2009 Trafficking in Persons Report, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke about the broad global impact of trafficking: "It weakens legitimate economies, fuels violence, threatens public health and safety, shatters families, and shreds the social fabric that is necessary for progress. And it is an affront to our basic values and our fundamental belief that all people everywhere deserve to live and work in safety and dignity."

June 16 - Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern held a briefing on June 12 in Washington, DC about the U.S. delegation's June 7-10 trip to China to discuss climate and energy issues, noting that the "world cannot contain climate change and cannot avoid dangerous levels of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere without very significant action by China." [Video]

June 15 – The United States welcomes the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1874, which provides a strong and united international response to North Korea's test of a nuclear device. UN Ambassador Susan Rice said in a June 12 White House press briefingwith Press Secretary Robert Gibbs that the resolution "will cause the sanctions regime on North Korea to be strengthened in five critical areas."

• Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo, U.S. Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs
• North Korea Sanctions: Resolution 1718 Versus Resolution 1874 fact sheet, State Department Office of the Spokesman

June 12 - In his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington, DC on June 11, Special Representative for North Korea Policy Ambassador Stephen W. Bosworth reviewed the United States' four-pronged strategy to meet the challenge of North Korea’s recent actions: "close regional consultation and cooperation, UN and national sanctions, appropriate defensive measures and, if North Korea shows serious willingness, diplomatic engagement to negotiate a path to denuclearization."