Embassy of Japan in the United States of America
在米国日本国大使館

The 2010 Annual Meeting of National Association
of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS)

August 24, 2010

Chairman Farrell, President Kelly, and distinguished guests,

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the Japan America Societies all around the country.
You have been functioning as bridges between our two countries for so long.
We in Japan are grateful for your services.
This is why I decided to come to this meeting without an invitation.
I have also gone to the JETAA meeting just ten days ago without an invitation.
I’m afraid I will soon be blacklisted as a gate-crashing ambassador.

I know that Japan America Societies are facing challenges.

• Japan-US relations are changing.

  Several years ago, the cliché was that Japan-US relations had never been better. The ambassador was able to say that his job was like a gardener’s, pruning some branches, doing some weeding. But not anymore. US base issues have become so complicated. We cannot assume that those good old days will come back.

• The emergence of China.

  Many Americans are interested in business chances and other opportunities in China. Many Senators and Congressmen are going there, flying over Japan.

• Economic difficulty originating from the financial crisis two years ago has made it even more difficult for organizations to receive contributions, which have always been small.

Let me touch upon the US base issue.
Some pundits in Japan and the US said that this is only one part of Japan-US relations and should not determine the relationship between the two countries.
I think this is wrong.
It is the very base of our security arrangements.
If the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense are all involved, it cannot be considered a minor issue.
It remains an important issue.

However, I am optimistic for two reasons.

• The new leadership in Japan is determined to resolve the issue.
• Japan and the US have four features which makes our relationship special.
• Security partnership
• Economic and global partnership
• Belief in common values of democracy, freedom of speech, and human rights
• People like each other. 80% of Japanese polled trust and like Americans. 80% of Americans say they like the Japanese.

I always say that in our relations we need to keep in mind 3 No’s.

• No surprises
• No over-politicization
• No taking for granted

Of course, the work of organizations such as Japan America Societies is also important.
To make the Societies even more successful, I would like to raise three points here.

• We need a channel to provide necessary information to Japan America Societies. The Embassy and Consulates should be providing you with enough materials. If not, please let us know.
• Is networking between organizations such as Japan America Societies, JETAA, Consulates, and others sufficient? If there could be more regional cooperation amongst these organizations, maybe we could make better use of limited resources.
• Is there a way to utilize the new agenda between the two countries?

In the next few years, I think we should focus on HNS.
In the security world, HNS means host nation which is support given by the host country to US bases in its territory.
Here, I am referring to high-speed railway, nuclear power plants, and sakura.
Regarding high-speed railway and nuclear power plants, President Obama started an initiative last year.
Japan’s high-speed railway as well as nuclear power plants have six E’s.
E for experience in safety.
E for exactness.
E for environmental-friendly.
E for economical.
E for employment creation.
E for earthquake proof.
No other country has all six E’s.
Please remember that.
We look forward to working with the US in these areas.

2012 is the centennial for the planting of the cherry blossom, or sakura, trees in Washington, DC.
We hope to utilize this occasion to plant cherry blossom trees throughout the country.
I think Japan America Societies can help with this as well.

Before ending, I will ask you to bear with me for ten more minutes.
I would like to explain this chart.
I will not claim intellectual property rights for them so please use them as you wish.

You can download this from the Embassy’s homepage.