Z Notes Blog by Jim Zumwalt
Z Notes Banner
Commodore Perry Anniversary in Yokosuka

Aug. 16 - Today's guest blog is by Rachel Brunette-Chen who works in the Embassy's Political Section.

Jim


Celebrating Close Ties Between Our Countries

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces band performs "Yankee Doodle."

Last month, I was honored to represent the Embassy at the 158th Anniversary Ceremony of the Landing of Commodore Perry. The event was hosted by the City of Yokosuka at Yokosuka Sogo High School, located near the site of Commodore Matthew Perry's arrival off the Uraga Coast in Kanagawa Prefecture. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, but our countries' friendly ties date back to July 8, 1853, when Commodore Perry first arrived in Japan.

This year's ceremony honoring the anniversary of Perry's arrival included a floral tribute, musical numbers, and addresses by Yokosuka City Mayor Yuto Yoshida, representatives of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the U.S. Embassy.

The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Band Yokosuka and the Yokosuka Municipal Shinmei Junior High School Choir offered moving performances of the old American classic, "Yankee Doodle," and the city's official "Commodore Perry's Landing" memorial song. Senior officers of the Maritime Self Defense Force, U.S. Navy officers, Diet Members, City Council Members, and citizens of Yokosuka also added to the festive environment.

I think that Commodore Perry would have been delighted by the high level of cooperation our countries enjoy today in areas spanning commerce, education, culture, and security. He would have surely been touched to know that his important role in modern Japanese and American history continues to be celebrated through a formal anniversary ceremony hosted by the City of Yokosuka every year, along with an annual festival and fireworks display.

I lay a wreath together with Yokosuka Mayor Yuto Yoshida.

Today, Yokosuka is a welcoming home to many U.S. Navy sailors and their families. It is truly an international city that embodies the spirit of friendship that Perry likely envisioned when he arrived in Japan.

During the reception following the ceremony honoring Perry, I had a chance to chat with a group of bright young people from Yokosuka schools who were about to depart for their first trip abroad on an exchange program with Yokosuka's sister city, Corpus Christi, Texas. Just as the ceremony honoring Commodore Perry reminded me of the long history of our bilateral ties, the young people I met in Yokosuka left me with a good feeling about the future of the friendship between the U.S. and Japan.

- Rachel Brunette-Chen

Embassy of the United States Embassy Main |  U.S. Citizen Services |  Visas |  Policy Issues |  State Department
Contact Us |  Privacy |  Webmaster