July 5 - The American Consulate in Nagoya celebrated American Independence Day this year with a reception at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Nagoya. They invited many friends of the United States and Japan including journalists, professors, artists, business leaders and elected officials.

Consul Jonas Stewart in his welcome remarks recognized numerous organizations from Central Japan who had dispatched personnel to northern Japan to help tsunami-affected regions with their recovery. The entire audience gave a warm round of applause to the city governments, university hospitals, non-government organizations and the Self Defense Forces for their contributions to Tohoku's recovery.

That evening, I also met many wonderful people who contribute to our vibrant bilateral relationship. One is an artist named Sankaku Ogawa who created the fancy centerpiece for this event. Consul Stewart had asked him to design a floral arrangement that celebrated our Independence Day but also remained appropriate during this disaster recovery period. Ogawa's arrangement paid respect to the Tohoku region by featuring Tanabata festival decorations from Sendai. Large bamboo branches sporting red, white and blue streamers curved down gently from overhead. Red, white and blue flowers stood out against the green bamboo leaves.

I visited Sendai's Tanabata festival two years ago and knew that one is supposed to write a wish on the streamers and attach them to the bamboo. As I admired Ogawa's colorful floral arrangement, I wished for the speedy recovery of the Tohoku region and its people.

Until next time,

Jim