Japan-United States of America Relations

　1.　On August 23 (local time), Minister Kono and his wifevisited aJapanese Cemetery in Colma in the San Francisco Bay Area and offered flowers.

　2.　On the same day, Minister Kono and his wife visited the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) Historic Learning Center. After receiving an explanation on the duties of the language essential personnel unit composed of second generation Nikkei soldiers and officers that were sent to the front lines of the Pacific War at the Center, he spoke with retired MIS servicemen. After this, he viewed exhibiteditems regarding the history of the Nikkei soldiers and officers and other items.

　3.　On the same day, Minister Kono and his wife attended a reception hosted by Mr. Tomochika Uyama, Consul-General of Japan in San Francisco, at his official residence, and interacted with approximately 140 people relevant to San Francisco city, Nikkei organizations, and Japanese companies. Along with welcoming the first visit to San Francisco in 17 years by a Japanese Foreign Minister, the attendees expressed their expectations for the development of the relationship between Japan and San Francisco going forward.

　4.　On August 24 (local time), Minister Kono exchanged views with young Nikkei entrepreneurs who are members of the Silicon Valley Japan Platform (SVJP), an NPO that aims to promote innovation linking Silicon Valley and Japan. The attendees gave explanations regarding initiatives toward enhancing relations between Japan and Silicon Valley, and Minister Kono stated that he hoped the SVJP members would share the importance of the spirit of entrepreneurship and their experience with Japanese young people.

　　【Reference】Silicon Valley Japan Platform (SVJP)

• Launched in August 2016. An NPO established with the aim of offering an innovation platform linking Silicon Valley and Japan.
• Professor Daniel Okimoto, Professor Emeritus of Stanford University, serves as the U.S. Co-chair of executive committee, and Mr. James Masaakira Kondo, President of the Asia Pacific Initiative Foundation, serves as the Japan Co-chair.
• Supports invigorationof Japan-U.S. economic exchange through events, such as monthly study meetings inviting lecturers.y and Japan.

　5.　On the same day, Minister Kono held a meeting with Japanese American Leadership Delegation (JALD) participants who live in San Francisco. Minister Kono expressed the importance of the bond between Japan and the Nikkei people in the United States, and stated that he hoped there would be opportunities for them to pass the history of Nikkei people to young people in Japan. The participants made remarks on initiatives regarding invigorationof Japan-U.S. exchange using JALD as an opportunity.