July 30 - Our Summer issue of "American View" is now online, focusing on America's rich cultural diversity, including a photo essay on the U.S. World Cup soccer team. The article, "Graphic Novels: An Evolving Art Form Tackles New Themes," is about Asian-American artists who combine cartoon-style drawings and dialogue, and "From Philosophy to Food, Asian Culture Inspires Americans" further shows Asian-Americans' profound influence on the American cultural landscape. The author of a bestselling memoir gives an interview on multiracial identity, and a well-known professor writes about religious diversity. There is also another photo gallery about Perspectives on Identity, which we hope you enjoy.

July 29 - Ambassador John V. Roos participated in a July 23 signing ceremony for the Cross Pacific Innovation Network Initiative between the Kauffman Fellows Program and Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), with METI Minister Masayuki Naoshima, Vice Minister Teruhiko Mashiko, INCJ CEO Kimikazu Nomi, and Kauffman Fellows Program President and CEO Phillip G. Wickham. Ambassador Roos praised METI's willingness to work together to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, and said that the partnership between the Kauffman Fellows Program and INCJ has the potential to make "an incredible contribution ... further enhancing the bonds between our two countries."

July 27 - Ambassador John V. Roos paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Masahiko Yamada on July 23. The very productive discussion between Ambassador Roos and Minister Yamada included a wide range of issues that impact the United States and Japan. Ambassador Roos highly complimented MAFF's recent campaign to eradicate foot and mouth disease from Miyazaki Prefecture.

July 23 - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates met ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu Myung-hwan and Minister of National Defense Kim Tae-young in Seoul on July 21. In a Joint Statement, they "urged North Korea to abandon all its nuclear programs and its pursuit of nuclear weapons in a complete and verifiable manner, and to demonstrate its genuine will for denuclearization with concrete actions." They also urged North Korea to "improve human rights conditions and living standards for its people in cooperation with the international community."

• July 21 - Joint Statement of ROK-U.S. Foreign and Defense Ministers' Meeting on the Occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Outbreak of the Korean War
• July 21 - Press Availability with Secretary Clinton, Secretary Gates, Korean Foreign Minister Yu, and Korean Defense Minister Kim
• July 21 - Secretary Clinton's Statement at the DMZ

July 21 - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attended the Kabul Conference in Afghanistan on July 20. The Kabul Conference is an important step in a process that works towards achieving the shared goals of the Afghan people and the United States: a stable and secure Afghanistan, able to maintain its own security and prevent the return of Al Qaeda. The Kabul Conference allows ordinary Afghans to see that their government has made progress and is working for them, from increased security through local police forces and a growing National Army, to prioritizing the education of women and working with the international community to employ more than 100,000 Afghans in rural development efforts.

• July 20 - State Department Daily Press Briefing, with remarks on the Kabul Conference
• July 19 - Secretary Clinton's Remarks en route to Kabul
• July 13 - Briefing by Special Representative Richard Holbrooke prior to the Kabul Conference

July 16 - Do you have questions about studying abroad? The fall issue of our quarterly online magazine "American View" will try to answer them! Please send us your questions by July 23. We'll get answers for as many as we can and publish them in our Fall 2010 issue. [Submit a question]

July 15 - On July 12, six months after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti and claimed the lives of 230,000 people, Secretary Clinton stated, "Our resolve to stand with the people of Haiti for the long term remains undiminished. We are committed to helping them realize the Haitian vision for a better nation." The United States values Japan's partnership as we work together with the people and government of Haiti.

• Secretary's remarks
• Special Briefing with State Department Counselor Cheryl Mills and USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah: Video and Transcript
• White House webpage on Relief for Haiti
• America.gov article: American Medical Volunteers in Haiti

July 13 - President Obama called Ugandan President Museveni on July 12 and expressed his sincere condolences for the loss of life and offered to provide any support or assistance that the Ugandan government requests. Secretary of State Clinton joined President Obama in strongly condemning the attacks in Kampala targeting innocent spectators watching the World Cup final, and said, "At this tragic moment, the United States stands with Uganda. We have a long-standing, close friendship with the people and Government of Uganda and will work with them to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice."

• Secretary Clinton's statement
• White House July 12 press briefing

July 12 - Susie Roos, wife of Ambassador John Roos, unveiled the Residence Kitchen Garden on July 8, to promote healthy eating. The first produce from the garden, combined with American food products, formed the basis for a special menu created by Embassy Agricultural Trade Office Chef Consultant Ema Koeda and served at the 2010 Embassy Independence Day celebration. The garden was inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama's White House Garden.

• Delicious recipes and more from Myfood.jp (in Japanese)
• Video: "Inside the White House: The Kitchen Garden"

July 7 - The Office of the State Department Spokesman announced in a June 29 statement that the United States has accepted an offer from the government of Japan to provide skimmers and containment boom for use in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill response. Japan is one of 12 countries and international organizations from which the United States is accepting assistance. In addition, citizens and companies in Japan have been offering ideas, suggestions, and even equipment to the response. Those who wish to do so can submit their proposals directly to the U.S. Coast Guard and BP at the Horizon eDocs website.