Consul-General Fukushima took part in the Japan America Society of Oklahoma’s one year anniversary celebration (November 12, 2019)

On November 12^th, Consul-General Fukushima participated in a reception in Oklahoma City commemorating one year since the Japan America Society of Oklahoma (JASO) was reestablished.
 
After a period of dormancy, JASO was reactivated last year, and has since then organized many activities, including social gatherings for members, and opportunities for local Oklahomans to engage with Japanese culture.
 
A reception was held in Oklahoma City to commemorate this anniversary, and it proved to be a great success with nearly 200 local American and Japanese residents taking part. Many key people in the Japan-Oklahoma relationship attended, including Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, and state lawmakers, such as former Oklahoma State Senator Randy Bass who played professional baseball in Japan for the Hanshin Tigers prior to entering politics.
 
Following a Taiko drum performance by a local university student group, Consul-General Fukushima congratulated JASO on their achievements in spreading Japanese culture and advancing grassroots exchange in the region since their reestablishment, and expressed his hope that they will continue to grow and reach more communities in the future. Next, JASO President Jared Scism reported on the group’s activities over the past year, before a friendly video message from Takatoshi Nishiwaki, Governor of Kyoto Prefecture, was shown in anticipation of next year’s landmark 35^th anniversary of the Sister State relationship between Kyoto and Oklahoma.
 
The reception did much to strengthen the network of people in Oklahoma involved with Japan and encourage greater exchange at the grassroots level. On that note, Mr. Lloyd Hardin, the Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Oklahoma City, was presented with a letter of gratitude from Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Moetgi that recognized his outstanding achievements in advancing those same goals over the years.