Press Releases
Charge d'Affaires Guest Speaker at Annual Rengo Seminar
July 30 - Charge d'Affaires James P. Zumwalt addressed participants at a Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) seminar on July 29 in Tokyo. Mr. Zumwalt discussed President Barack Obama's efforts to revive the U.S. economy. He also said the U.S.-Japan relationship is without question the most important in the Asia-Pacific Region.
Charge d'Affaires Speaks in Yokohama on APEC
July 23 - As Japan prepares to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in 2010 and the United States in 2011, Embassy Charge d'Affaires James P. Zumwalt discussed ways the United States and Japan can strengthen economic cooperation. His presentation, at the Yokohama City Port Opening Memorial Hall, was open to the public and the media.
Bloggers Watch Cairo Speech
June 8 - The Embassy Press Office hosted a group of Japanese bloggers to watch the live broadcast in the Embassy of President Obama’s address to the Muslim world from Cairo on June 4.
Kanagawa Governor at Graduation Party
May 29 - Kanagawa Governor Shigefumi Matsuzawa, pictured here with Charge James P. Zumwalt and Tokyo American Center Director Ann Kambara, attended the graduation party for U.S. diplomats studying Japanese at the U.S. State Department's Foreign Service Institute in Yokohama.
Photo courtesy of the Japan Machinery Center for Trade and Investment
Seminar on Supply Chain Security
May 14 - Economic Minister-Counselor Robert F. Cekuta offered introductory remarks at a Japan Machinery Center for Trade and Investment (JMC) seminar, "2009 U.S. Supply Chain Security Program: Understanding Interim Final Rule of the U.S. Importer Security Filing (10+2)." Mr. Cekuta emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Japan bilateral trade relationship and the interest both countries share in cargo security. Over 140 representatives from Japanese exporters gathered to hear legal and policy experts explain the new U.S. regulation. For more information on U.S. Importer Security Filing (10+2), please visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website at www.cbp.gov.
Charge Meets Cherry Blossom Queens
May 11 – Charge d’Affaires Jim Zumwalt met with 2009 Japan Cherry Blossom Queen Erisa Kazui and U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen Tatianna Duran on May 11. Miss Duran, the first Cherry Blossom Queen from New Mexico, was selected as the 61st U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen on April 3, 2009. She is a second-year student and Triathlon Team member at George Washington University, where she is majoring in International Affairs. Miss Kazui was selected as the 22nd Japan Cherry Blossom Queen on March 15, 2008 along with Miss Megumi Yoshida, who paid a courtesy call on former Ambassador Schieffer last May. From Tokyo, Miss Kazui is in her second year at Sophia University majoring in English.
(Photo by Ben Avey, CFAY Public Affairs)
U.S.-Japan Spring Festival
April 5 - Families enjoy a picnic under a canopy of cherry blossoms in Kosano Park at the 16th Annual U.S.-Japan Spring Festival aboard Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) April 5. More than 50,000 guests were welcomed on board CFAY for this year’s festival which included live musical performances, cultural foods and a variety of games and activities for kids.
Symposium at Waseda University
March 5 - Charge d'Affaires James P. Zumwalt spoke at the "Commemorative Symposium for the Establishment of the U.S.-Japan Research Institute" at Waseda University.
Naturalization Ceremony at Yokosuka
Feb. 27 - Prior to giving the keynote remarks at a ceremony for naturalization of U.S. servicemembers and their families at Yokosuka Naval Base, Charge d'Affaires James Zumwalt chats with Kenneth Sherman, Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field office in Seoul, as military and Embassy officers look on. A total of 72 applicants (62 military members, 9 military spouses, and 1 military child) from 19 countries became U.S. citizens. Information about servicemember and military family naturalization is available at www.uscis.gov/military. [More]
Benkyokai on U.S.-Japan Relations
Feb. 19 - Charge d'Affaires James Zumwalt spoke about U.S.-Japan relations to a benkyokai (study group) led by Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama.
Secretary of State Clinton Visits Tokyo, February 16-18
Feb. 16 - Charge d'Affaires James P. Zumwalt greeted Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton upon arriving in Japan on her first trip abroad as Secretary of State. See also Secretary Clinton's blog entry and a glimpse of her Tokyo visit.
Chicago Symphony Patrons Have Tea and Briefing
Feb. 3 - Charge d'Affaires James Zumwalt and American Center Director Ann Kambara hosted a group of 15 patrons of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and staff at the Charge's official residence for a tea and briefing on U.S.-Japan relations. The patrons, including some of the symphony's strongest supporters, are accompanying the orchestra on its sixth Japan tour.
ACCJ Chubu New Year's Party
Jan. 23 - ACCJ Chubu Chapter President Thomas Whitson, Brother Industries Chairman Yoshihiro Yasui, Embassy Charge James Zumwalt, Consulate Nagoya Principal Officer Max Kwak, and ACCJ Chubu Vice President Chris Zarodkiewicz participated in the traditional kagamiwari (sake barrel breaking) ceremony at a party marking the new year. Charge Zumwalt gave a congratulatory address highlighting the strong ties that exist between Central Japan and America-based companies and encouraging area companies to join the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan Chubu Chapter to contribute to the promotion of the bilateral trade relationship.
Media Event for Food Websites
Jan. 22 - Charge James P. Zumwalt addressed media and nearly 50 U.S. food industry associations at the Embassy at the press conference launching two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food and agriculture-related websites: www.myfood.jp, aimed at Japanese consumers, and www.us-ato.jp, a bilingual website aimed at the industry.
Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service
Jan. 16 - Secretary of the Army Pete Geren, on behalf of the Secretary of Defense, presented outgoing Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer with the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Secretary Geren described the Ambassador's support to the U.S.-Japan alliance as tireless, having a tremendous impact, and laying the foundation for Alliance Transformation in the years to come. The medal is the U.S. military's highest civilian award. [Embassy Press Release] (Photo by SSG Matt Clifton, Army Public Affairs)
Return to the United States
Jan. 15 - Ambassador J. Thomas and Mrs. Susanne Silber Schieffer departed Narita Airport for the United States on January 15, the end of the Ambassador's diplomatic mission to Japan. Upon his departure, James P. Zumwalt became Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy.
ESTA Press Conference
Jan. 8 - Ambassador Schieffer, accompanied by Consul General Ray Baca, answered the media's questions about the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) system. At the event, Azumazeki Stable Master and former sumo wrestler Jesse Takamiyama quickly and successfully completed an online ESTA registration.