July 23 - Today's guest blog is from Matthew Fuller who works as Special Assistant to Ambassador Roos.

Jim

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Ambassador Roos Visits Obama

Recently Ambassador John Roos and his wife Susie visited Obama City in Fukui Prefecture. It seemed as if virtually all 30,000 Obama citizens greeted them during their stay. Upon arrival at the Town Hall, Ambassador Roos was greeted by hundreds of residents cheering and waving American and Japanese flags while chanting "O-ba-ma, O-ba-ma."

Two high school students who recently visited the White House presented the Ambassador with flowers.

After meeting with Mayor Koji Matsuzaki and Fukui Governor Issei Nishikawa, Ambassador Roos stopped his car to greet the hundreds of flag-waving citizens lining the road back to his hotel. He walked the rest of the route, greeting shopkeepers, women dressed in kimonos, other women holding babies, junior high school students, a 97 year old barber, and a karaoke parlor, owner among others. Ambassador Roos thanked them for their hospitality, shaking hands and posing for photos beneath "I Love Obama" banners and American flags.

That evening, Mayor Matsuzaki hosted a dinner overlooking beautiful Obama Bay that featured Obama's famous seafood in addition to a special performance by the "Obama Girls" hula troupe.

The next morning, Mayor Matsuzaki and his wife led Ambassador and Mrs. Roos on a boat tour of the Sotomo Coastline. The Ambassador was also treated to a special visit to Miyotsuji Temple, and he made a shopping stop for Obama City's famous lacquer chopsticks. At lunch, Ambassador Roos was presented with a genuine, hand-made "noh" theatre mask of President Obama.

At every stop, Ambassador Roos was greeted by more residents waving flags and banners welcoming him to Obama. In addressing local officials and press, Ambassador Roos said the enthusiasm of their citizens for the United States was evidence of the strength of the relationship between our two nations. He promised to report back to the President about his visit.

- Matthew Fuller