August 28 - The Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom issued a statement on August 27 condemning the action of fellow G8 member Russia, stating "Russia's recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia violates the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia and is contrary to U.N. Security Council Resolutions supported by Russia." [Full Text]

August 22 - Newly arrived Deputy Chief of Mission James P. Zumwalt visited Yokohama on August 22 for a series of courtesy calls, including with Kanagawa Prefecture Governor Shigefumi Matsuzawa and Yokohama Mayor Hiroshi Nakada. DCM Zumwalt studied in Yokohama while in high school.

August 18 - On August 16, President Bush spoke to reporters in Crawford, Texas about the latest developments in Georgia. The President's remarks followed a "first hand briefing" that he had received from Secretary Rice and other members of his national security team. [Full Statement]

August 13 - Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer recently visited Fukuoka to address a group of 470 high school students participating in the Japan Future Leaders' School, a yearly program supported by Keidanren and Fukuoka Prefecture. In his remarks, the Ambassador talked about a rapidly changing world and the importance of meeting its challenges. At the same time, he stressed the importance of keeping in mind that "the true measure of success comes from the number of people who you have come to love and the number of people who have come to love you." In closing, he urged them to "find peace and happiness as you make a better world."

August 13 - Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer, accompanied by U.S. Forces Japan Commander Lt. General Edward A. Rice, Jr., met August 12 for an introductory meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi. Minister Hayashi took office following the August 1 cabinet reshuffle.

August 11- On August 8, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard A. Boucher conducted a briefing and press conference at the Japan National Press Club. In his address, he talked about his earlier discussions with Japanese Government officials on issues affecting Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. [Transcript]

August 11 - On August 6, Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer visited the children of Nemunoki Gakuen, founded in 1968 by renowned entertainer and philanthropist Ms. Mariko Miyagi. Located in Kakegawa, Nemunoki Gakuen is one of Japan’s top schools and living communities for physically and mentally handicapped youth. Focusing on education through art, Ms. Miyagi's students record music albums, produce award-winning paintings and write books of poetry and prose. After listening to the Nemunoki Choir's rendition of "Amazing Grace" and a few American and Japanese songs, Ambassador Schieffer toured the school's museum and chatted with the exhibition's artists. Ambassador Schieffer then joined the students for lunch where he thanked Ms. Miyagi and the students for their hospitality. Ambassador Schieffer commented that he was particularly touched in seeing the "humanity and the joy that is in the hearts of the students and the teachers as well."

August 7 - President and Mrs. Bush are visiting Thailand to celebrate 175 years of the U.S.-Thailand relationship and to discuss bilateral and regional issues with Prime Minister Samak. While in the country, President Bush gave a speech in which he noted that, "Over the past six decades, Asia has gone from an area mired in poverty and recovering from world war to a thriving and dynamic region. America has played a pivotal role in this transformation. By maintaining a stabilizing military presence, we helped to free emerging nations from concerns about security. By pursuing strong diplomatic engagement, we helped once-hostile nations resolve their differences in peace. And by opening our markets to Asian exports, we helped powerful economies to take shape." [Full transcript]

August 5 - The Department of Defense recently released its new National Defense Strategy, which highlights the need to develop a U.S. foreign policy with greater emphasis on "soft power" such as diplomacy and international aid. [AFPS Press Release].

August 1 - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated its Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a new online system that is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The ESTA web-based system is now open for voluntary applications but becomes mandatory on January 12, 2009. Once ESTA is mandatory, all nationals or citizens of VWP countries who plan to travel to the United States for 90 days or less for temporary business or pleasure under the VWP will need to receive an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a U.S.-bound airplane or cruise ship. While travelers will not be able to access ESTA using cellphones, a Japanese language version of the ESTA website is expected to be available by mid-October. For those with inquiries/questions/comments on the program, please send email to CBP.

• Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
• ESTA on CBP.gov