Japan-United States of America Relations
Foreign Minister Kamikawa’s Meeting with Japanese American leaders in San Francisco
November 13, 2023
On November 13, commencing at 5:45 p.m. (local time, 10:45 a.m. on November 14, Japan time), for approximately 50 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting San Francisco, the United States for the APEC Ministerial Meeting, held a meeting with Japanese American leaders in San Francisco.
The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- Minister Kamikawa stated that she is very delighted to meet with the Japanese American leaders who have long supported the Japanese American community at the San Francisco Japantown, one of the three remaining Japantowns in the U.S. Minister Kamikawa also stated that San Francisco is one of the places where the history of Japanese American communities started, and that San Francisco has always been a gateway to the U.S. for the Japanese people.
- Minister Kamikawa expressed her sincere respect for the Japanese Americans who have overcome many challenges and hardships and have earned the respect and trust from the American society. Minister Kamikawa stated that she would like to deepen the ties between Japan and the Japanese Americans and raise them to a new plateau.
- Minister Kamikawa held a lively discussion with the Japanese American leaders. The participants gave their detailed thoughts and proposals about the footsteps of Japanese Americans, the history of Japantowns, their efforts to strengthen the ties between Japan and the Japanese Americans, their projects to bring up future Japanese American leaders, and how to let the U.S. public know Japanese culture.
- Minister Kamikawa and the participants concurred on the importance of bolstering efforts to enhance the exchange between Japan and the Japanese Americans among a wide range of generations.
- Minister Kamikawa praised the Japanese Americans for their longstanding efforts to pass down Japanese culture and values over the years. At the end of the meeting, Minister Kamikawa exchanged words with each participant at the end of the meeting and expressed her gratitude for their contributions.