2016 | 2015

December 2015

Japan America Society of Michigan and Southwestern Ontario’s Annual Gala

On December 16th, 2015, the Japan America Society of Michigan and Southwestern Ontario hosted their Annual holiday dinner and wish list auction at the beautiful Meadowbrook Mansion in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Consul General Wada and Mrs. Wada attended the event. The evening kicked off with cocktails, a tour of the mansion, and a silent auction featuring items from companies including Coach and Tiffany’s. Soon after, the host of the event, JAS Chairman Bruce Brownlee, gave a PowerPoint presentation detailing the JAS events throughout the year. Finally, there were opinions exchanged over dinner and concert by the White Pine Glee Club.

Pine Knob Elementary School Visit

On December 16, two members of the Consulate General staff, Adam Wolf (Public Relations Liaison, Cultural and Public Affairs Section) and Hiroe Kamasuda (Extra Chancellor), visited Pine Knob Elementary in Clarkston to share a lesson about Japan and the Japanese culture.

The students were very active participants and showed a lot of enthusiasm. They performed the story of Momotaro (Son of a Peach) and made origami Kabuto (Japanese paper helmets). Additionally, the students asked excellent questions about Japan and were able to learn some new Japanese words. Principal Jodi Yeloushan helped coordinate the visit and set an perfect venue for the presentation. Please contact our cultural section at pr@dt.mofa.go.jp to request a school visit.

Friendship City Partnership Between Dublin and Mashiko

On Dec 15th, Consul General Wada joined a reception celebrating the Friendship City relationship between Dublin, Ohio and Mashiko Town, Japan. Mayor Otsuka brought Mashiko-made Japanese sake for the toast and we enjoyed a drum performance by Dublin Taiko.

The Japanese companies in the Detroit region continue to support local educational, cultural and charitable activities in the area, which is very meaningful towards achieving stronger bilateral relations. In addition, in August of 2015, to honor their many years of contributions, the JBSD Foundation received a Foreign Minister’s Commendation. Along with JBSD, we at the Consulate General would like to continue to do our best to promote US-Japan mutual understanding in the future.

JBSD Grant Award Ceremony

On December 4, JBSD (Japanese Business Society of Detroit) held a grant award ceremony. Deputy Consul General Noda and Ms. Eguchi, Public Relations Officer attended the event. For the past 23 years, the JBSD Fund has donated $1.7 million dollars to non-profit organizations and educational institutions. Over a period of 17 years, 159 high school and university students have received scholarships to study in Japan. Each organization represented at the ceremony made a speech and was handed a check by the JBSD Foundation Chairman Mr. Eiji Kato. Everyone shared their impressive passion and drive they have for their organizations.

The Japanese companies in the Detroit region continue to support local educational, cultural and charitable activities in the area, which is very meaningful towards achieving stronger bilateral relations. In addition, in August of 2015, to honor their many years of contributions, the JBSD Foundation received a Foreign Minister’s Commendation. Along with JBSD, we at the Consulate General would like to continue to do our best to promote US-Japan mutual understanding in the future.

November 2015

Detroit Edison Elementary School Visit

On November 25th, a member of the Consulate General staff, Adam Wolf (Public Relations Liaison, Cultural and Public Affairs Section) visited Edison Elementary in Detroit to share a lesson about Japan and the Japanese culture. The students at the school were enthusiastic and full of energy. In addition to learning about the country of Japan, the students were able to help act out the story of Momotaro (Son of a Peach) while wearing origami kabuto (Japanese helmets). The Edison students also had the chance to learn some basic Japanese and play with kendama, a traditional Japanese toy.

One of the main roles of the Consulate General of Japan is to promote cultural and education exchanges. Currently, the Cultural and Public Affairs section tries to visit two schools per month. With the support of Edison Principal Marcus Davenport and 5th grade teacher Jason Stewart, this school visit was a great success! Please contact our cultural section at pr@dt.mofa.go.jp to request a school visit.

Emperor's Birthday Reception at Consul General's Residence

On November 17th, 2015, the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit hosted the Emperor’s Birthday Reception at the official residence of the Consul General. This is an annual reception to celebrate the nation of Japan. In total 208 guests from the community attended the event.

Events commenced with the singing of the national anthems of the U.S. and Japan by the White Pine Glee Club, a male Japanese choir based around metro-Detroit. Following the Glee Club were the greeting from the Consul General, two gubernatorial messages from Michigan and Ohio, a Foreign Minister’s Commendation ceremony, and a toast from the former mayor of Detroit.

The Foreign Minister’s Commendation was awarded to the Japanese Business Society of Detroit (JBSD) Foundation. Mr. Eiji Kato, the president of the organization, received the award on its behalf. The commendation was given for the foundation’s various contributions promoting Japan’s friendship and goodwill with America through helping to provide grants to academic and non-profit organizations, activities, education and research programs, and projects promoting bilateral relations, as well as international studies scholarships.

The reception featured delectable foods and drinks such as specialty Sake and sushi. There was also several beautiful ikebana displays as well as a 45 year old symbolic bonsai plant. On the back porch there were booths set out to promote JBSD and KAO international. Overall, the evening was a great success.

Consul General Wada Presenting Commendation	Mr. Kato’s Speech After Receiving Commendation
All of the Night’s Presenters	White Pine Glee Club
JBSD Booth

Veterans’ Reception

On November 14th, Consul General Wada held a reception in Dublin, Ohio for veterans who have served in Okinawa, Japan. This year marks the 70th Anniversary after WWII.

More than 40 people, mainly from Okinawa Tomono Kai of Ohio, gathered and we showed them Chanoyu and a video about Okinawa to take them back to the time they served in Japan.

One veteran, who fought against Japan in WWII, said to me that it was a pleasure and honor to attend the reception. I definitely believe that we can go beyond the past war.

Reception in Honor of Dr. Akiko Kawano-Jones, Conferee of Foreign Minister Commendation by the Government of Japan

On November 6th, the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit hosted a reception at Bowling Green State University to honor Prof. Akiko Kawano-Jones with a Foreign Minister Commendation. Prof. Kawano-Jones, the director of the Asian Studies Program at BGSU, has dedicated herself to promote friendship between the US and Japan in Ohio through Japanese language and cultural education, as well as organizing “Nakama-no-kai” to bridge US-Japan business people for more than 30 years.

Not only did her colleagues in education and business attend the reception to recognize her accomplishment, but also many of her former students, who are now involved in international business and various organizations. The reception demonstrated how much influence Prof. Kawano-Jones has had on the people in this region.

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

On November 5th, Consul Takemura (Political & Economic Section) joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Sky View Square, which is a new shop located in Adrian, Michigan. Owner, Ms. Saori Shimizu, has created a wonderful place to buy handmade goods from both Adrian and Numazu City (Ms. Shimizu’s Japanese hometown).

Adrian actually enjoys a sister-city relationship with Moriyama (Shiga Prefecture), and visitors will find a small Japanese garden there, gifted by Moriyama.

The consulate very much supports the efforts of locally based Japanese people, and encourages you to visit Sky View Square if you happen to be in the vicinity of Adrian.

October 2015

The Eighth Annual Consular Soccer Tournament

On October 3rd and 4th, the Consulate of Mexico, along with Wayne State University and Ultimate Soccer Arenas, hosted the 8th Annual Michigan International Soccer Tournament in Pontiac, Michigan. In the soccer tournament 16 teams participated including Albania, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Macedonia, Mexico, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen and the Palestinian. The aim of the yearly event is for the Consulate Corps to get to know one another and bring together the communities which they represent. The Japanese team ended up in third place behind the Palestinian and Yemeni team respectively. Consul General Wada attended the opening ceremonies along with the Japan/Macedonia game in which the Japanese team won 3 to 0.

September 2015

Reception in Honor of Dr. Kinji Tanaka, Conferee of "Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays" By the Government of Japan

On September 28, 2015, the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit and the University of Cincinnati co-hosted a reception, supported by the Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati, to celebrate Dr. Tanaka being awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays by the Government of Japan in April(*). The event took place at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Many university dignitaries, including Dr. Santa Ono, President of Cincinnati University and the Honorary Consul of Japan in Cincinnati, as well as community cultural and academic leaders, and Japanese American community members of the region were in attendance. This was the first reception attended by Consul General Wada and participants welcomed him to his new position.

Pictured left to right: Consul General Wada, Dr. Kinji Tanaka and Honorary Consul of Japan in Cincinnati for the State of Ohio Dr. Santo Ono

JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Alumni Association National Conference

Every year the JETAA has their annual conference that brings together representatives from 19 JETAA chapters all over the US including Alaska and Hawaii. This year the conference was held in Detroit, Michigan from the 23rd to the 25th in September, 2015. The attendees discussed over how to strengthen their chapters and relations with their community during various sessions. Special guests for the annual conference included Minister Otaka from the Embassy in Washington D.C. and Mr. Masahiro Fukukawa, an executive consultant from CLAIR in Tokyo. The Consul General participated in the event as well as the staff of the Consulate General Mitsuhiro Wada. Many plans and initiatives were presented and the conference was a great success!

In the evening of October 25th, 2015, a special reception was held by the Consul General for all of the JETAA conference participants, JET returnees who had just completed their duties in Japan and returned to the US, Japanese business community members etc. at the Consul General’s residence.