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Speech by Consul General Kiyokazu OTA at the Occasion of the Opening of Spokane Japan Week 2011 (April.16, 2011)
I. Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster
Thank you for joining us for a moment of silence to honor the victims of the March 11th earthquake and tsunami. There are no words in English or in Japanese to express our sorrow. Yet at every turn, I have been touched by the benevolence of the American people. The US government has supported Japan from the very first day, sending on-site USAID disaster relief teams and then Nuclear Regulatory Commission experts to aid the Fukushima Nuclear Power Stations. As we speak, the US military forces are still engaged in “Operation Tomodachi.”
From individuals and businesses, letters, cards and flowers express sympathetic messages to us at the consulate. From every corner of the community, fundraising events, donations and other offers of aid are pouring in. Your help and encouragement is indispensable to us. Never more so than now do I understand the phrase “a friend in need is a true friend indeed.”
We will show our gratitude by following through on our determination to maintain a disciplined and orderly society as we revive the disaster-stricken region. Japan is now more united than ever. We will help each other through the weeks and months to fully clear away the damage, and the years to rebuild stronger than before, regardless of the challenges that face us.
II. Spokane
I arrived in Seattle on March 16th of last year. I have had many invitations to come east of the mountains, but due to a very full schedule, I have had to put off a trip until now. In the days leading up to this trip, I could not help but look forward to finally visiting the second largest city in Washington State. I have been living in the Emerald City for a little over a year, and I am glad I have also been able to stay a few days in the Lilac City.
Although I did not know what to expect, I was still surprised by the beauty of the city, especially your resident waterfall! As I enjoyed strolls through the streets and parks, I was able to reflect on the place whose name translates to “children of the sun” and the experiences I have had here. In addition to the assets of natural beautiful scenery and gracious citizens, I have had the pleasure of meeting with local dignitaries such as Mayor Verner, Superintendant Stowell and President of Gonzaga University Dr. McCulloh. Among the places I have visited here, ones that stand out in my memory include the Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden, Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, and the Northwest Museum of Art and Culture, where I met Miss Tokushima.
III. 50 Years of Sister City Relations
The friendship doll, Miss Tokushima, was even lovelier than I expected! Although predating the sister city relationship between Nishinomiya and Spokane, her beauty seemed to capture essence of the flower of friendship that has been carefully tended by the people of the two cities for half a century. I must pay my respects to the 50 years of exchanges of various kinds between you and your sister city. From teacher and student interchange to Mayor Verner leading a delegation to Nishinomiya this coming September, you have bridged physical, cultural and linguistic barriers and maintained a strong relationship.
This is the 19th Annual Spokane Japan Week. What a heartwarming sight! People of all ages can come together to enjoy Japanese culture. From anime to senbei, cosplay to kendo, many people have dedicated their time, energy and knowledge to organize this festival. Thank you for making this such a successful event!
VI. Spokane and Japan: An Educational Connection
I personally believe that it is important to experience cross-cultural exchange and education at a young age, and that is one of the things I find so inspiring about this area. Japanese language programs are thriving at 3 universities and 5 high schools in the area thanks to devoted educators like Ms. Seiko Katsushima and Ms. Atsumi McCauley.
The Japan Exchange and Teaching, or JET, Program recruits and interviews applicants in Spokane to send to Japan as grassroots representatives of the United States. Each year Spokane area residents welcome around 400 female college students from Japan that have come to study at the Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute through a home stay program.
Right now, the Japan America Society in Seattle is working to bring their Japan in a Suitcase program to elementary schools around Spokane. This endeavor will involve cooperation from Japanese language teachers, former JET participants, Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute students and members of the community, but I have faith that you all will be able to pull it off.
I am sure that visiting Consuls General generations in the future will talk about the success of all these programs and how they strengthened the ties between our people.
Enjoy Japan Week! Thank you for listening!