Consulate Activities
2023/7/31
Hawaii-Japan Sister Summit Reception
On Thursday, July 27th, 2023, the Consulate-General of Japan in Honolulu and the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) co-hosted a reception commemorating the Hawaii-Japan Sister Summit, at the Official Residence of the Consul General of Japan in Honolulu.
The Hawaii-Japan Sister Summit, convened by JASH with cooperation from the Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT), was held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki on July 27th and 28th, inviting the leaders of Japanese local governments which have sister or friendship relations with Hawaii, in order to facilitate opportunities for in-person exchanges with government leaders of Hawaii, business leaders as well as experts, aiming to strengthen collaboration between Japan and Hawaii through discussions focused on shared issues, such as sustainable energy, education, sustainable tourism, business & economy.
The Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu, working closely with JASH on the occasion of the Hawaii-Japan Sister Summit, held a reception inviting representatives of local governments from Japan, the Governor of Hawaii, the Mayor of Honolulu, the Mayor of Kauai, the Mayor of Maui, the Mayor of Hawaii, and other guests who are actively contributing to Japan-Hawaii relations.
In his opening remarks, Consul General Yutaka Aoki stated that the relationship between Japan and Hawaii is rooted in the history of immigration from Japan and blossomed into a wide-range of diverse fields, including culture, sports, and education. He warmly welcomed the leaders of local governments from Japan who share sister and friendship relations with Hawaii and their participation at the Hawaii-Japan Sister Summit after four years of preparation.
Next, JASH Chairman of the Board, Mr. Alex Jampel, stated the theme of the Hawaii-Japan Sister Summit, “The Ties That Bind,” expressed the desire to strengthen Japan-Hawaii sister and friendship relations and exchanges in order to tackle various issues, such as energy, through collaboration and innovation.
Governor Josh Green of Hawaii said sister city relationships fosters cultural diplomacy and hopes to see it continue to strengthen investment, tourism, economic development, and education.
On behalf of the participating local governments from Japan, Governor Tsugumasa Muraoka of Yamaguchi Prefecture mentioned the formation of the State of Hawaii and Yamaguchi Prefecture sister partnership in 2022 and Suo-Oshima Town’s 60-year friendship with Kauai County, Hawaii, while conveying his wish to continue strengthening of Japan-Hawaii relations through the Hawaii-Japan Sister Summit.
On this occasion, the Japan-America Society of Hawaii presented former Governor of Hawaii George Ariyoshi with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Mrs. Jean Ariyoshi accepted the award on the Governor’s behalf.
Former Governor of Hawaii David Ige made a toast, declaring the strong sister relationship between Hawaii and Japan is the cornerstone of United States- Japan leadership and peace in the world.
At the reception venue, Kenjinkai of Fukuoka, Okinawa, Hiroshima, Ehime, Hokkaido and Yamaguchi Prefectures prepared booths to introduce the charms of each respective region. Performances of Ainu dance from Hokkaido and Shishimai dance of Okinawa also showcased the traditional cultures of regions in Japan.
The Hawaii-Japan Sister Summit, convened by JASH with cooperation from the Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT), was held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki on July 27th and 28th, inviting the leaders of Japanese local governments which have sister or friendship relations with Hawaii, in order to facilitate opportunities for in-person exchanges with government leaders of Hawaii, business leaders as well as experts, aiming to strengthen collaboration between Japan and Hawaii through discussions focused on shared issues, such as sustainable energy, education, sustainable tourism, business & economy.
The Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu, working closely with JASH on the occasion of the Hawaii-Japan Sister Summit, held a reception inviting representatives of local governments from Japan, the Governor of Hawaii, the Mayor of Honolulu, the Mayor of Kauai, the Mayor of Maui, the Mayor of Hawaii, and other guests who are actively contributing to Japan-Hawaii relations.
In his opening remarks, Consul General Yutaka Aoki stated that the relationship between Japan and Hawaii is rooted in the history of immigration from Japan and blossomed into a wide-range of diverse fields, including culture, sports, and education. He warmly welcomed the leaders of local governments from Japan who share sister and friendship relations with Hawaii and their participation at the Hawaii-Japan Sister Summit after four years of preparation.
Next, JASH Chairman of the Board, Mr. Alex Jampel, stated the theme of the Hawaii-Japan Sister Summit, “The Ties That Bind,” expressed the desire to strengthen Japan-Hawaii sister and friendship relations and exchanges in order to tackle various issues, such as energy, through collaboration and innovation.
Governor Josh Green of Hawaii said sister city relationships fosters cultural diplomacy and hopes to see it continue to strengthen investment, tourism, economic development, and education.
On behalf of the participating local governments from Japan, Governor Tsugumasa Muraoka of Yamaguchi Prefecture mentioned the formation of the State of Hawaii and Yamaguchi Prefecture sister partnership in 2022 and Suo-Oshima Town’s 60-year friendship with Kauai County, Hawaii, while conveying his wish to continue strengthening of Japan-Hawaii relations through the Hawaii-Japan Sister Summit.
On this occasion, the Japan-America Society of Hawaii presented former Governor of Hawaii George Ariyoshi with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Mrs. Jean Ariyoshi accepted the award on the Governor’s behalf.
Former Governor of Hawaii David Ige made a toast, declaring the strong sister relationship between Hawaii and Japan is the cornerstone of United States- Japan leadership and peace in the world.
At the reception venue, Kenjinkai of Fukuoka, Okinawa, Hiroshima, Ehime, Hokkaido and Yamaguchi Prefectures prepared booths to introduce the charms of each respective region. Performances of Ainu dance from Hokkaido and Shishimai dance of Okinawa also showcased the traditional cultures of regions in Japan.
Fukuoka Kenjinkai booth
Okinawa Kenjinkai booth
Hiroshima Kenjinkai booth
Ehime Kenjinkai booth
Hokkaido Kenjinkai booth
Yamaguchi Kenjinkai booth
Ainu dance from Hokkaido
Shishimai dance of Okinawa
- All photos by Tony Grillo