150th Anniversary of U.S. - Japan Relationship

The following press release was issued by the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle, Washington, USA on March 31, 2004.

1. Commodore Matthew Perry arrived off the coast of Japan on July 8, 1853 and the Treaty of Amity was signed in the following year on March 31, thus began, official relations between Japan and the U.S. The years 2003 and 2004 mark the 150th anniversary of our bilateral relationship respectively. To commemorate this 150 year-old relationship, it was decided by the Government of Japan to present a Foreign Minister's Commendation to those who have significantly contributed to the advancement of bilateral relations between our two countries.

2. A total of 158 individuals and organizations (97 individuals and 61 organizations) have been selected from all over the U.S. to receive the Commendation, and following 6 recipients are selected from within the jurisdiction of the Consulate-General of Japan at Seattle.

This Award is to be given, in principle, to those people/organizations, residing/located in the U.S., and have contributed to the advancement of the Japan-U.S. relationship in a wide range of fields such as politics, economy, education, journalism, science and technology, art, and sports.

The list of the recipients within the jurisdiction of the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle (in random order) is as follows:

(1) Mr. Kip Tokuda, Former member of the House of Representatives, State of Washington
(2) Mr. Griffith Way, Trustee, Blakemore Foundation
(3) Ms. Mayumi Nishiyama Smith, Director, Nippon Business Institute, Everett Community College
(4) The Ventures
(5) The North American Post
(6) Japan Business Association of Seattle (Shunju Club)

3. The Certificate of Commendation will be dated March 31, 2004, coinciding with the day on which the Treaty of Amity was signed in 1854. The presentation of the awards to those recipients as described above will be made by the Consul-General of Japan on the evening of Friday, April 16, 2004 at the Seattle Center.

4. A wide variety of events are being planned throughout Japan and the United States to commemorate this ceremonial occasion. The official ceremony and the symposium commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the US -Japan Relationship will be held on April 3rd, 2004 in Yokohama, where the Treaty of Amity was signed, and will be hosted by the US-Japan 150-Year Committee.

CONSULATE-GENERAL OF JAPAN
601 Union Street, Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: (206) 682-9107 - Fax: (206) 624-9097

| Home | Intro | Ventures | Sea | Air | Space | SciFi | Racing | Movies | Art | Travel | Exit |

| Intro | Band History | History in Music | Photo Album | Graphic Chronology | Discography |
| Album Ratings | Album Reviews | Billboard Top Hits | Original Songs | Other Resources |
| Underground Fire | Hall of Fame Campaign |

Last Updated: April 3, 2004