Consul Cummings led a presentation and discussion on "What the Kansai Needs?" at the study group meeting for the Promotion of Kansai Globalization, sponsored by the Kansai Economic Federation.

Consul Cummings spoke to the Kyoto Naka Rotary Club on the need for a more ambitious bilateral economic relationship.

(From right) Kyoto Naka Rotary Club Chairman Kauzhiro Komori, Consul Cummings, Consulate Staff, Coordinator Ryuzo Arakawa

Political and Economic Officer Cummings visited Matsuyama City, Ehime. He was briefed by the President of Matsuyama Chamber of Commerce and Industry about the economy in Matsuyama and Ehime.

Visited Matsuyama City Government.

Consul Cummings speaks to 50 members of the Japan-America Society of Wakayama on the U.S. presidential election and a new paradigm for bilateral economic relations. Also participating in the event marking the second anniversary of the Society was Wakayama Governor Yoshinobu Nisaka and Doshisha University Professor Koji Murata, who spoke about the presidential election and its implications for U.S.-Japan relations.

Robert Cekuta, Economic Minister Counselor, U.S. Embassy Tokyo visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

Consul Cummings delivered his speech at Nishinomiya Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The title was "Boys be ambitious." The speech covered such topics as invigoration of U.S.-Japan economic relationship, the U.S. economy, and the presidential election. The audience of 15 from the Chamber and Hyogo Prefectural Government engaged in an active discussion of the issues.

USS Frigate Ingraham visited the port of Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture. The purpose of the visit was to enhance the friendship between the U.S. and Japan. The crew visited beautiful Ritsurin Park in Takamatsu City as well as Shorinji Kempo Headquarters in the Prefecture for cultural exchange. Ingraham approaches Sunport Takamatsu.

Takamatsu Chamber of Commerce & Industry representing the local community to welcome the ship.

Consul Cummings speaks to business, community and governmental leaders in Nara on revitalizing the local economy through American investment.

The USS Shiloh, a cruiser, visited Maizuru Port in Kyoto Prefecture. The purposes of the visit were to promote friendship between the U.S. and Japan, and allow the crew to visit the region. Shiloh approaching the wharf.

Commanding Officer, Captain Alan J. Abramson, gave a guided tour and a briefing session for the press corps on the vessel.

Captain Abramson paid courtesy visits to Rear Admiral Eiichi Funada, Chief of Staff at Maizuru Headquarters, JMSDF, and other senior officials in Maizuru.

Consul Cummings gave a speech to Professor Eiichiro Kirimura's Kobe University International Relations graduate students and Asahi Shimbun Osaka editors, at Asacom Hall, Osaka. He discussed positive aspects of bilateral relations, areas of concern, and the need for the Japanese to learn better presentation skills in order to communicate better with Westerners, in a speech entitled "My Views on U.S.-Japan Relations."

U.S. - Japan Investment Initiative Seminar at Grand Cube Osaka

VIPs in the seminar. Ambassador Patricia Haslach, METI Parliamentary Secretary Yamamoto, U.S. mid-west 4 states Lt. Governors, Kansai’s Governors and Vice Governors from Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Nara, and Wakayama, and other speakers from private sectors.

Ambassador Patricia M. Haslach, U.S. Senior Official for APEC, Political and Economic Officer Cummings, and Kansas Lt. Governor Mark Parkinson at the seminar

Welcome Reception of U.S. - Japan Investment Initiative Seminar

Consul General Russel, Osaka Mayor Seki, and P&G Japan Chairman Chaturvedi at Welcome Reception

Economic and administrative briefing by Toyama Prefecture officials

Meeting with Toyama Deputy Mayor Shinsuke Sugihara

Interview with Kitanippon Shimbun, Toyama

Presenting a gift to Kanazawa City

Economic orientation by Hokuriku Economic Federation, Kanazawa

Interview with Hokkoku Shimbun, Kanazawa

Consul Cummings participates in a discussion on the Six-Party Talks in Prof. Kirimura's Journalism workshop at Kobe University's Law Faculty.

Consul Cummings delivered a speech on "U.S. Foreign Policy and the role of Foreign Service Nationals" to the graduate students of Prof. Robert Eldridge's "Lecture on Internatioanl Public Policy: Examining U.S. - Japan Relations" class and undergraduates at Osaka School of International Public Policy.

Consul General Russel and Consul Cummings attend Carnegie Mellon University's first graduation ceremony at their Kobe CyLabs campus with Hyogo Governor Ido.

Consul Cummings and staff visit Yutaka Co., Ltd. in the industrial trip of METI Kinki Bureau to hear about Higashi Osaka's small business innovators and their interest in partnerships with American firms.

Reception with JSDF and local politicians at Consul General’s residence

Study Meeting by Consulate and Osaka City Government staff

Consular Officer Cummings speaking before an audience of Sankei Shimbun readers on "a Diplomat's personal perspective of Japan and the Kansai."

Consular Officer Cummings prepares to enter the restaurant hosting the speaking engagement.