December 22, 2008

The 27th Infantry Regiment, known as the "Wolfhounds" greet representatives of the Holy Family Home. The regiment "adopted" the orphanage in 1949 and continues to support it through their activities. Pictured here: Consul General Ed Dong, Community Liaison Office Don Wynne, Sgt. Anderson and Sgt. Banton from the Wolfhounds and Mr. Nakada and Sister Morris from the Holy Family Home during their recent visit to the Consulate.

November 22, 2008

Consul Patrick Smeller participated at Kyoto University roundtable discussion on immigration. Participants also took part in an after-event banquet hosted by the Study Group on International Relations at Kyoto University.

Seated from left are Kyoto University Law Professor Masahiro Nishii, Consul Patrick Smeller, graduate student Stig Lindberg, and Japanese Ambassador Kishichiro Amae.

November 21, 2008

USS Lassen visited Osaka Port to promote friendship and goodwill between the two nations. The welcome ceremony on the pier was attended by U.S. Consul General Edward Dong and other officials from the Ministry of Defense, Japan Self Defense Forces, Osaka City Hall, and Defense Association.

CDR Anthony Simmons shaking hands with Vice Governor Mr. Shinsaku Kimura of Osaka Prefecture.

Courtesy call on Vice Mayor Mr. Akira Morishita of Osaka City. (From left) CDR Simmons, Vice Mayor Morishita, and Ensign Oleen.

October 31, 2008

Deputy Charge Zumwalt and Consul General Dong hosted a roundtable at the Kansai American Center for members of the press.

October 28, 2008

Consul General Dong and Consul Tulloch visited Maizuru Port (East) in Kyoto Prefecture. Commandant VADM Houshi (second from left) receives the two at JMSDF Maizuru HQ.

With Administrative Officer CDR Nakagama.

On board JDS Suzunami, Commanding Officer CDR Shimizu briefs Consul General Dong (front) and Consul Tulloch about the ship.

October 18, 2008

Consul General Dong and Consulate staff participated in the 2008 Kobe Walk-A-Thon, a charity walk and festival, sponsored by the ACCJ (American Chamber of Commerce in Japan) Kansai chapter. This fund-raising event supports the improvement of the working environment for women in Japan.

October 17, 2008

Vice Consul Gary Schaefer speaks to students at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies about study-abroad opportunities in the United States. During the past year alone, more than 34,000 Japanese students traveled to the U.S. to study or take part in cultural exchange programs.

October 12, 2008

Consul General Dong gave a speech at the 2^nd Tosa-Shimizu John Manjiro Festival in Tosa-Shimizu City, Kochi.

October 3, 2008

Consul General Edward Dong visited Osaka City Hall to pay a courtesy call on Mayor Mr. Kunio Hiramatsu and City Council President Mr. Toshifumi Tagaya. (From left) Mayor Hiramatsu, Consul Tulloch, Consul General Dong, City Council President Tagaya.

October 2, 2008

Consul General Edward Dong visited Kyoto City Hall to pay a courtesy call on Mayor Mr. Daisaku Kadokawa. With Mayor Kadokawa and Ms. Etsuko Murata, Senior Director of International Relations Office.

(From left to right) Principal Commercial Consul Harker, Consul Tulloch, Mayor Kadokawa, and Consul General Dong.

Cruiser of the U.S. Navy, USS Cowpens, visited Wakayama Port to promote friendship and goodwill. USS Cowpens at the berth.

USS Cowpens Captain Holly Graf and Consul General Edward Dong visited the Wakayama Prefectural Government to pay a courtesy call on Vice Governor Mr. Kuniaki Hara. (From left to right) Consul General Dong, Captain Graf, Vice Governor Mr. Hara, and Crisis Management Superintendent Mr. Mori.

On September 29th, crew from the USS Cowpens visited Aitoku Medical and Welfare Center in Wakayama City, performed volunteer work (cleaning) and interacted with children from the center. USS Cowpens crew with two Aitoku Center sisters.

Consul General Dong paid a courtesy call on Governor Keiji Yamada of Kyoto Prefecture. The Consul General (left) listens to the Governor describe Kyoto Prefecture's history, natural beauty and plans for tourism promotion.

Consul General Dong was invited to speak before the Osaka Prefectural Assembly's U.S.- Japan Friendship League. Consul General Dong presenting his speech entitled "Asians in America and Americans in Asia."

U.S.-Japan Friendship League President Yoshiaki Nagata presenting remarks at the reception following Consul General Dong's speech.

Osaka Governor Toru Hashimoto speaking at the reception following Consul General Dong's speech.

Consul General Dong visited the Kobe City Hall to pay his courtesy call on Mayor Mr. Tatsuo Yada. Showing a map of the city, Mayor Yada talked about the history of development of the international city.

Consul General Dong hosted the Open House event and received many honorable guests at the Consulate General.

Osaka City Council's President Mr. Toshifumi Tagaya (left) and Vice President Mr. Masahiro Ozasa (right) with Consul General Dong.

Consul General Dong and Consul Tulloch visited Osaka Prefectural Assembly to pay a courtesy call on President Mr. Nariaki Hata and Vice President Mr. Kazuo Suzuki of the Assembly.

Afterwards, Consul General Dong and Consul Tulloch met the executives of the U.S.- Japan Friendship League of the Osaka Prefectural Assembly.

Consul General Dong and Consul Tulloch visited the Osaka Prefectural Government to pay a courtesy call on Governor Toru Hashimoto. The governor talked a lot about the historical and cultural attractions of Osaka Prefecture.