Press Releases
Courtesy Call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs HORII by Ms. Diana Mayhew, President of the National Cherry Blossom Festival
October 19, 2026
On October 19, commencing at 4:30 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. HORII Iwao, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, received a courtesy call from Ms. Diana Mayhew, President of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, who is visiting Japan.
- At the outset, State Minister HORII expressed his appreciation for Ms. Mayhew's longstanding contributions to the development of the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the promotion of friendship between Japan and the United States. He also congratulated her on receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, this spring.
- In light of the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States this year and the 100th anniversary of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in 2027, State Minister HORII expressed his intention to further strengthen cooperation with the organizers of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, promote friendship between Japan and the United States, and pass on the tradition of people-to-people exchanges to future generations.
- Both sides exchanged views on ways to further promote grassroots exchanges between Japan and the United States through the Festival.