Japanese(日本語)  

       Home | About Us | Visa | Consular Services  | JET | Education | Japan Info | Culture  | Foreign Policy  | Employment  | Links 

CG Kamo’s Remarks

At the US Navy-Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Junior Officer Symposium

June 9, 2010

 Good afternoon! Aloha!

 It has been a privilege and an honor for me to present here today as an observer of the US Navy-Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Junior Officer Symposium to comRmemorate the 50^th anniversary of the US-Japan alliance under the US-Japan Security Arrangement. As a novice local consul general, I am thrilled to be included in this distinguished group of sailors and their friends.

 Admiral Walsh, thank you very much for your gracious hospitality extended to Admiral Akahoshi, his entourage and the visiting training squadron. I would also like to thank Admiral Akahoshi, our co-chair today, for his role in leading the JMSDF. The two admirals have been working hard in bringing our two great navies closer. Today they have worked together as co-chairs to make today’s symposium lively and stimulating, thus demonstrating the solidarity that our two navies have developed over the past 50 years.

 Although this conference is called a junior officer symposium, in fact, this has been a heavy weight meeting, participated by most senior officers and truly first rate experts as panelists from our two nations. We have just heard the most stimulating exchange of views, thoughts and comments on matters of our mutual interest and concerns. For the junior officers, I believe, this has been an education to learn how the others view things or how things should be put into perspective or how the skills of persuasion should be employed. We have seen the heated discussions which have been greatly facilitated by excellent remarks and informative comments made by the panel. They did a great job of inspiring junior officers who will become future leaders of our two navies. 

 There could be many ways to celebrate the 50^th anniversary. Congratulations to someone who selected Honolulu as the first port of call for the squadron! Located in the center of the Pacific and just half way between Japan and the mainland U.S., and proudly hosting the mighty U.S. Pacific Fleet, Honolulu naturally deserves the honor to be the first port.

 Kudos to someone who planned this symposium! This is an excellent way of showcasing the importance of the U.S. –Japan Alliance for the past 50 years and the next 50 years, by underlining the young officers of our two navies. The sophisticated organization, arguments and agendas all contributed to the success of the symposium.

 Last but not least, for celebrating the 50^th anniversary of our alliance and the visit of the Japanese Training Squadron to Hawaii, I have the privilege to inform you that a congratulatory message by Japan’s Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada has been received. So I will quote.

 “Upon the port visit of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Training Squadron to Hawaii, I wish to convey my congratulatory message as the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.

 This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the conclusion of the current U.S.-Japan treaty of mutual cooperation and security. In this commemorative year, Japan and the United States will further intensify cooperation on issues of the Asia-Pacific region as well as global issues and deepen the U.S.-Japan Alliance, with the U.S.-Japan security arrangements as its core, in order to adapt to the evolving environment of the twenty-first century.

 Over many years, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Navy have enjoyed close cooperation at various levels as bearers of the Alliance. The two are tied by a bond of trust. The series of port visits to the U.S. during this long-distance training voyage would provide a chance to further strengthen the relationship and an opportunity to deepen the exchange between the people of the two countries, which would then, contribute to the deepening of the Alliance. I believe that these are very meaningful. Such ceaseless efforts to develop the relationship between the U.S. and Japan at an operational level would demonstrate the strength of the Alliance to both inside and outside of the two countries. This is also important to maintain the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.

 For example, Hawaii has strong ties with Japan both historically and also in terms of personal exchange. Honolulu is a city that the Japanese delegation, dispatched by the Tokugawa SHogunate to the United States in 1860, visited on their way home. This year marks the 150^th anniversary of the visit. This year is also a 125^th anniversary of the arrival of the first group of immigrant from Japan to Hawaii. The group was called “Kan-yaku-Imin”, and was organized upon the request of the King Kalakaua of Hawaii. In fact, the King was the first head of state that visited Japan. Because of such history a large number of Japanese-Americans live in Hawaii compared to other states, and events like “Matsuri” seen in Japan and others that introduce Japanese tradition are held frequently in Hawaii.

 I believe that in carrying out a foreign policy that is based on the support and understanding of the people, local governments, private organizations and the people engaged in cultural exchange play a significant role. I hope that through the exchange events at each port of visit during this voyage, the people of both countries will recognize the friendly relations that has been fostered between the two nations, and that the relations be further deepened forwards the future.”

 Thank you.