Video interview credit: Janet Donovan and Brendan Kownacki
Photo credit: Haley Schiffer
“I was very excited to hear this news,” said Kenichiro Sasae, The Ambassador of Japan, referring to the winning Olympic bid for Tokyo to host the 2020 Olympics – beating out Spain and Turkey. “Actually, it was a minute after I came back from a walk along the Potomac.”
H. E. The Ambassador of Japan and Mrs. Sasae
“After two rounds of voting at a hotel ballroom in Buenos Aires, IOC President Jacques Rogge walked to a podium and opened a white envelope. His announcement — “Tokyo” — was drowned out by a howl of celebration when it was broadcast live to a city of partiers. “Tokyo!” several thousand chanted at an outdoor viewing party as gold tinsel rained down. “Tokyo!” hoarse twentysomethings screamed as they stumbled out of bars and toward the subway.” The Washington Post
While Hollywood on the Potomac wasn’t on the scene in Buenos Aires, they were in Japan earlier this year where they heard the case for why Tokyo is the ideal host city for the summer games. Tokyo’s Governor, Naoki Inose, boldly highlighted the city’s planning process thus far to handle an influx of people into a city that already processes a booming population.
We congratulate them and invite you to take a look back:
But Monday night’s reception wasn’t only about the Olympics. While the Redskins were playing their first game of the season across town, guests at the Japanese residence were extending their appreciation for outgoing Director General Tomika and Congressional Minister Chiba and welcoming their incoming colleagues Deputy Chief of Mission Izumi and Congressional Minister Kaifu.
“I must confess that I’m somewhat saddened to be here,” said Rep. George Holding. “Mr. Chiba has the distinction of being the very first member of the diplomatic four with which I made an acquaintance.
That has to do and is a testimony to his excellence in his job because he actually came to see me before I was even elected. He had done his research and he figured that I was going to get elected so he came to my home in North Carolina and gave me a full brief on the issues facing Japan and the issues that he was concerned with. It was because of that meeting – and I haven’t told him this so this will be news for him – it was because of that meeting when I was given the choice by Chairman Royce of the foreign affairs committee, as to which subcommittees that I wanted the serve on.
Rep. George Holding
Then I chose to serve on an Asia and Pacific subcommittee and it was because of that very meeting that we had. It is a testimony to his good work and professionalism. He will need all of those skills in his next posting. I’m saddened to be here but I’m honored to have you as a friend.”
“Over the three years I’ve been posted in Washington, DC, I’ve witnessed with my own eyes the degree of integration of things Japanese into the DC cultural scene. …. like cherry blossoms on the basin or ninja costumes for Halloween or even sashimi and sake for St. Valentine’s Day,” said Minster Chiba. “Congress is a challenge and so when I’m up on the hill it is not just about wearing that politically incorrect purple tie and a matching purple shirt there’s much more than that. Without your assistance and your guidance, I would not have been able to survive in the workplace and to that I’m indebted.”
The evening was filled with lighthearted speeches, supplemented by a sumptuous Japanese buffet. And yes, Japanese culture is alive and well in Washington and now more than ever around the world.
