On December 5, 2013, Consul-General Nozomu Takaoka hosted a reception celebrating the 80th birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan which was attended by over 140 distinguished guests.
Mr. Takaoka referred to numerous visits in 2013 by Their Majesties to the Tohoku region, demonstrating their support for those affected by the earthquake. He spoke of the newly appointed United States Ambassador to Japan, the Honorable Caroline Kennedy, whose visit to Tohoku less than one month after her arrival to Japan was also appreciated by the people of the region. He also expressed his gratitude towards the people of the States of Texas and Oklahoma for their continued encouragement 1001 days after the earthquake.
Congratulatory messages for the occasion were sent from both the Honorable Rick Perry, Governor of the State of Texas and the Honorable Mary Fallin, Governor of the State of Oklahoma. Representatives from the offices of Senator Ted Cruz and Congressman Al Green attended the reception. The National Anthems of Japan and the United States were performed by solo opera singer, Ms. Mihoko Kinoshita, adding artistic flavor to the reception.
In his remarks, Consul-General Takaoka highlighted four areas of increased Japanese presence and involvement in business and high-technology in this region: the energy sector, manufacturing, space, and high-speed railway. In correspondence an exhibit showcasing four companies and one organization with great contributions in these areas attracted many reception attendees. The exhibit was made possible thanks to Osaka Gas Resources America, Toshiba International Corporation, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and Japan Railway Central. |
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