Consul General Ito’s Remarks at 2017 Reception Celebrating the Emperor’s Birthday
2017/11/28
Admiral Harris,
Governor Ariyoshi,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen...
Good evening and Aloha!
This year, on December 23, His Majesty Emperor Akihito, will turn 84 years old. I am honored and delighted that so many of you were able to join us at this evening's reception to celebrate this auspicious occasion.
In 1953, the then-Crown Prince Akihito made his first official visit to Hawaii, when he stopped here en route to attend the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Then in 1960, he and then-Crown Princess Michiko visited Hawaii, this time to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the relationship between the United States and Japan. During this time, they planted the monkey pod tree that grows in front of this building, the Consul General’s official residence. In 1994, five years after His Majesty had acceded to the throne, he and the Empress went on a goodwill tour of the U.S., at the invitation of the American government, and stopped at various cities including Honolulu. It was on this occasion that they planted the white shower tree here in this back garden. Their Majesties’ most recent trip to Hawaii was in 2009, when they graced us with their presence on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation.
The Emperor and Empress have consistently placed great importance on strengthening and promoting goodwill and international friendship between Japan and other countries.
Ladies and Gentlemen…
Based on the shared history of over a century between the U.S. and Japan, Hawaii is fast becoming a most significant and strategically meaningful place. It was just last December when Prime Minister Abe and President Obama visited the Arizona Memorial. The Prime Minister vowed that Japan will continue to move forth as a peace-loving nation. He stated that the postwar tolerance, respect and kindness shown by America to Japan have been received with deep gratitude and will be long remembered for generations to come, and the alliance that ties the two reconciled nations is, as he termed it, an “alliance of hope.” In response, President Obama said that this powerful alliance is a reminder of what is possible between nations and peoples, and how the U.S. and Japan, once bitter adversaries in war, have joined hands in the name of friendship and peace.
More recently, President Trump stopped in Hawaii before his first official visit to Asia. On November 4, he departed Hickam Air Force Base for Tokyo, where he spent two days with Prime Minister Abe, discussing international matters, including North Korean issues and U.S.-Japan economic relations. During the press conference afterward, Prime Minister Abe stated that in the over half-century history of the U.S.-Japan alliance, never before have the bonds shared by the leaders of both the U.S. and Japan, been as deep and close as they have been in this last year. President Trump said that Japan is a country with a remarkable history, culture, tradition, and spirit, and that the U.S. and Japan will continue to share a strong partnership in the decades to come, and will take on challenges and opportunities together as allies and as friends.
Ladies and Gentlemen…
We, at the Japanese Consulate, in the spirit of friendship and cooperation which was renewed during this summit between the leaders of our two nations, are committed to continue working together with our friends in the local community, including those involved in Japan-Hawaii business development, tourism, and academic, cultural, regional and youth exchange. Let us never forget, too, that the friendship and cooperation which currently exists between Japan and Hawaii, and Japan and the U.S., is largely due to great contributions and sacrifices made by the Japanese immigrants and their descendants in Hawaii.
Next year is the 150th anniversary of the arrival of those first immigrants to Hawaii, and many local Japanese-American and Okinawan organizations have come together to form the Gannenmono Committee, which has been working hard planning events to commemorate this huge milestone year. The Japanese Consulate would like to continue working with all of you to make this anniversary a success, and as another opportunity to advance the friendship and goodwill between Japan and Hawaii into the future.
My wife Misako and I have only been in Hawaii for less than two months but, in that time, we have had so many opportunities almost daily, to meet new people who have welcomed us with open arms and so many leis, and we are already beginning to feel that Hawaii is our second home. We are so happy to be here, and are grateful for your friendship and warm aloha spirit.
Before I close my remarks, I would like to express my appreciation to all the organizations and kenjinkais who helped to make this reception possible. Please enjoy some of the delicious Japanese food and sake we have prepared for you, and browse the different regional booths featured at the back of the tent.
We hope that your experience here this evening will inspire you to ponder the past, the present, and the future of the relationship between Japan and Hawaii.
Thank you very much again for joining us this evening. Mahalo nui loa!
Governor Ariyoshi,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen...
Good evening and Aloha!
This year, on December 23, His Majesty Emperor Akihito, will turn 84 years old. I am honored and delighted that so many of you were able to join us at this evening's reception to celebrate this auspicious occasion.
In 1953, the then-Crown Prince Akihito made his first official visit to Hawaii, when he stopped here en route to attend the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Then in 1960, he and then-Crown Princess Michiko visited Hawaii, this time to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the relationship between the United States and Japan. During this time, they planted the monkey pod tree that grows in front of this building, the Consul General’s official residence. In 1994, five years after His Majesty had acceded to the throne, he and the Empress went on a goodwill tour of the U.S., at the invitation of the American government, and stopped at various cities including Honolulu. It was on this occasion that they planted the white shower tree here in this back garden. Their Majesties’ most recent trip to Hawaii was in 2009, when they graced us with their presence on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation.
The Emperor and Empress have consistently placed great importance on strengthening and promoting goodwill and international friendship between Japan and other countries.
Ladies and Gentlemen…
Based on the shared history of over a century between the U.S. and Japan, Hawaii is fast becoming a most significant and strategically meaningful place. It was just last December when Prime Minister Abe and President Obama visited the Arizona Memorial. The Prime Minister vowed that Japan will continue to move forth as a peace-loving nation. He stated that the postwar tolerance, respect and kindness shown by America to Japan have been received with deep gratitude and will be long remembered for generations to come, and the alliance that ties the two reconciled nations is, as he termed it, an “alliance of hope.” In response, President Obama said that this powerful alliance is a reminder of what is possible between nations and peoples, and how the U.S. and Japan, once bitter adversaries in war, have joined hands in the name of friendship and peace.
More recently, President Trump stopped in Hawaii before his first official visit to Asia. On November 4, he departed Hickam Air Force Base for Tokyo, where he spent two days with Prime Minister Abe, discussing international matters, including North Korean issues and U.S.-Japan economic relations. During the press conference afterward, Prime Minister Abe stated that in the over half-century history of the U.S.-Japan alliance, never before have the bonds shared by the leaders of both the U.S. and Japan, been as deep and close as they have been in this last year. President Trump said that Japan is a country with a remarkable history, culture, tradition, and spirit, and that the U.S. and Japan will continue to share a strong partnership in the decades to come, and will take on challenges and opportunities together as allies and as friends.
Ladies and Gentlemen…
We, at the Japanese Consulate, in the spirit of friendship and cooperation which was renewed during this summit between the leaders of our two nations, are committed to continue working together with our friends in the local community, including those involved in Japan-Hawaii business development, tourism, and academic, cultural, regional and youth exchange. Let us never forget, too, that the friendship and cooperation which currently exists between Japan and Hawaii, and Japan and the U.S., is largely due to great contributions and sacrifices made by the Japanese immigrants and their descendants in Hawaii.
Next year is the 150th anniversary of the arrival of those first immigrants to Hawaii, and many local Japanese-American and Okinawan organizations have come together to form the Gannenmono Committee, which has been working hard planning events to commemorate this huge milestone year. The Japanese Consulate would like to continue working with all of you to make this anniversary a success, and as another opportunity to advance the friendship and goodwill between Japan and Hawaii into the future.
My wife Misako and I have only been in Hawaii for less than two months but, in that time, we have had so many opportunities almost daily, to meet new people who have welcomed us with open arms and so many leis, and we are already beginning to feel that Hawaii is our second home. We are so happy to be here, and are grateful for your friendship and warm aloha spirit.
Before I close my remarks, I would like to express my appreciation to all the organizations and kenjinkais who helped to make this reception possible. Please enjoy some of the delicious Japanese food and sake we have prepared for you, and browse the different regional booths featured at the back of the tent.
We hope that your experience here this evening will inspire you to ponder the past, the present, and the future of the relationship between Japan and Hawaii.
Thank you very much again for joining us this evening. Mahalo nui loa!