SoCalJapan – Japan Hollywood Network

April 26th 2026 O.A.

L.A. Rising Fest 2026

On March 29, the LA Rising Fest was held in Little Tokyo.

The event celebrated the second anniversary of the “LA Rising” mural featuring Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, painted on the Miyako Hotel.
It was organized by the Little Tokyo Business Association together with the artist, Robert Vargas, who created the mural.

Boyle Heights is now widely recognized as a Mexican American neighborhood, but before the war it was home to a large Japanese American population, and it still maintains strong ties to that history.

Born and raised in Boyle Heights, Robert Vargas has created numerous murals that celebrate community and cultural identity.
Along First Street, a mural of Dodgers legend and Mexican pitcher Fernando Valenzuela also stands out, reflecting the cultural connection between Boyle Heights and Little Tokyo.

On stage, the event featured taiko drumming, Japanese dance, and mariachi performances, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.
Carlos González Gutiérrez, the Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles, Vivian Escalante, president of the nonprofit organization Boyle Heights Community Partners, and East LA born Hollywood actor Edward James Olmos all spoke about the importance of recognizing and sharing each other’s cultural heritage and history across communities.

Torrance Cherry Blossom Cultural Festival

On Sunday, March 29, the annual Cherry Blossom Cultural Festival took place at Columbia Park in Torrance.

The event was launched following cherry tree planting efforts and has since been held annually as a symbol of Japan–U.S. friendship and marked its 13th year this year.

At the opening ceremony, Torrance Mayor George Chen and Deputy Consul General Kamitani of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles were among those who took the stage to offer remarks.

The park was filled with booths showcasing Japanese culture alongside a variety of food trucks.
A diverse lineup of performances brought the stage to life.

Visitors enjoyed a leisurely spring day under cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Meanwhile, the City of Torrance is planning a memorial honoring Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II, and a donation ceremony was held that day in support of the project.

The memorial is planned for a section within the park, with a groundbreaking ceremony expected as early as later this year.

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April 12th 2026 O.A.

Tsunagi Matsuri

On March 8, the Tsunagi Matsuri, a support event for Little Tokyo organized by young people, was held.

The event was hosted by the Nikkei Student Union at UCLA and the Intercollegiate Nikkei Council of Southern California, INC, and was led by students.

On stage, performances were presented by about 10 different entertainment groups.
The venue featured food and merchandise vendors as well as booths from many nonprofit organizations within the Japanese American community.

As the name suggests, the festival is centered on the theme of Tsunagi, meaning connection.
It aims to connect people, generations, cultures, and places, and to help protect the future of Little Tokyo and the Japanese American community.

25% of the organizers’ profits will be donated to Little Tokyo Community Impact Fund, an organization that seeks to preserve the community and culture of Little Tokyo through real estate investment.

Pechanga Pro Am Tournament 2026

On Tuesday, April 7, the Pechanga Pro Am Tournament was held at Journey at Pechanga Golf Course in Temecula, bringing together professional women golfers.

The event is held annually, offering LPGA players a chance to step away from the demands of tour competition, relax, and connect with members of the local community.

Journey at Pechanga, located next to Pechanga Resort Casino, is a championship course that takes full advantage of the rolling, scenic landscape of the Temecula Valley, creating a challenging but beautiful playing experience.

This year’s event featured more than 25 professional golfers, along with six celebrities from film, television, and digital media, adding even more excitement to the tournament.
The pros enjoyed the round while mingling with guests, sponsors, and local community members, making it a relaxed and engaging day on the course.

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March 22nd 2026 O.A.

Natural Products Expo West 2026

Natural Products Expo West 2026 was held in Anaheim for four days starting March 3.

Now in its 45th year, the expo is a trade show for industry professionals featuring a wide range of natural products.
It is considered one of the largest business shows of its kind in the world.

More than 60,000 people attended, including buyers from major retailers such as Walmart, Costco, Kroger, and Whole Foods Market.

More than 3,000 companies exhibited at the venue, featuring products related to health conscious and natural lifestyle trends, including organic foods, additive free foods, supplements, and everyday goods.

Many Japanese companies also set up booths.
Japanese food aligns with the natural lifestyle trend through traditional methods, fewer additives, plant-based ingredients, and perceived health benefits.
Companies actively promoted staple and new products, along with new menu offerings, to attract new customers.

In addition, the Japan External Trade Organization, JETRO, set up a Japan Pavilion featuring Japanese companies.

Tea, soy sauce, sweets and supplements are among a wide range of products showcased by 12 participating companies.
Each company showcased the appeal of its products and expanded opportunities for business negotiations.

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March 8th 2026 O.A.

Emperor’s Birthday Reception 2026

On February 27, a reception celebrating the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor was held at the official residence of the Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles.

The event is hosted annually by the Consulate General to mark the Emperor’s birthday on February 23 and to strengthen ties with the local community.

This year, about 400 guests attended, including representatives of Japanese American organizations, members of the diplomatic corps, and leaders from state and city political and business communities.
They celebrated the Emperor’s birthday and reaffirmed community unity.

Consul General Kosei Murota shared an episode related to His Majesty the Emperor at the Consulate General.

He also highlighted three factors for further Japan–U.S. economic growth: collaboration with young Japanese Americans, stronger ties among Japanese companies beyond competition, and the expansion of Japanese food culture and Japanese-style education as a foundation for business development abroad.

Reflecting this spirit, rival travel agencies and airlines set up booths side by side to promote Japan.

The reception featured traditional sushi, street food such as yakitori, and contemporary Japanese cuisine by the restaurant Nobu, allowing guests to enjoy a wide variety of Japanese dishes and what Japan has to offer.

2026 JABA Award Dinner

On February 10, in downtown Los Angeles, JABA, the Japanese American Bar Association, held its officer installation ceremony and awards dinner.

The association was founded in 1977 by Japanese American legal professionals and currently has more than 300 members.

It works to expand opportunities for Japanese American lawyers through networking and mentoring young attorneys while also engaging in community service.

This year Gary Tokumori became the new president.

This year’s 49th anniversary dinner was attended by about 1,000 people, including members, their families, and representatives from government and related organizations, fostering connections.

2026 OCJAA Community Service Awards Banquet

On Sunday, March 1, OCJAA, the Orange County Japanese American Association, held its Community Service Awards Banquet in Fountain Valley.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, OCJAA is a nonprofit serving the Japanese American community in Orange County with cultural, educational, and welfare programs.

Following his reappointment as president last year, Yasuyuki Okazoe thanked the pioneers who built OCJAA over the past 40 years and shared his vision for engaging the next generation.

After lunch, greetings were delivered by the president of Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai, the President of Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California, and Kosei Murota, Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles.

Certificates of Appreciation were presented to the Shin-Sen-Gumi Restaurant Group, Nihon Yakken, and the Chado Urasenke Tankokai OC for their support of OCJAA’s activities.

The Community Service Award went to Mapfre Insurance and Seiichi Nagao of OCJAA.
Distinguished Service Awards were given to Mac Miyazaki and Akemi Miyake, both OCJAA President Emeritus.

The event also featured raffle tickets for fundraising, a blind auction, and entertainment, allowing members and guests to enjoy a pleasant afternoon.

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March 1st 2026 O.A.

Pictograms: Iconic Japanese Designs

A pictogram exhibition is currently being held at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles in Hollywood.

Pictograms are visual communication tools that convey information through images and symbols without using words.
They are used in public transportation and facility guidance, on maps and various types of signage, and in recent years, smartphone emojis have also become a form of pictogram.

The method of conveying information through images has existed since ancient times.
One of the key moments that led to pictograms being used in their modern form was the set of sport pictograms introduced at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

This exhibition was organized by the Nippon Design Center, the Japanese design firm that created the pictograms for the Tokyo Olympics.
The gallery introduces the history of pictograms, as well as the design concepts and techniques used to communicate information as clearly and effectively as possible.

There are also pictograms introducing Los Angeles, created from designs submitted by local K to 12 students.
In addition, playful photo spots are set up for visitors to enjoy.

The exhibition ”Pictograms: Iconic Japanese Designs” runs through May 3 at the 2nd floor gallery of JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles.
Admission is free.
For more information, please visit the website at JapanHouseLA.com.

2026 Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai Friendship Luncheon

On February 8 in Montebello, Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai held its 2026 Officer Installation and Friendship Luncheon.

Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai is a nonprofit organization founded in 1964.
It has members from 36 prefectures across Japan and continues a variety of community service activities, including the preservation of traditional culture and awarding scholarships.

The ceremony began with the oath of office by the 13 officers for the current term.
George Howard succeeded Kihei Otani, who served as president last year, becoming the first non-Japanese president in the history of Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai.

George Howard, a native of the South Bay area, has been studying Japanese traditional culture since the 1980s and has long been active in the Japanese American community, including serving as president of the Gunma Kenjinkai.

After lunch, government officials including California State Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi and community representatives gave congratulatory remarks.
Awards were then presented to recognize outstanding contributions.

The annual showcase of hometown pride by prefectural representatives was also held.

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February 22nd 2026 O.A.

2026 Southern California Gardeners’ Federation New Year’s Celebration

On February 1 in Montebello, the Southern California Gardeners’ Federation held its New Year’s celebration and officers’ installation ceremony.

The Southern California Gardeners’ Federation is a professional organization of Japanese American gardeners founded in 1955.
It currently includes 11 chapters and approximately 270 members.
The organization engages in mutual supportand community service.

At the beginning of the event, 8 new officers for the current term took the oath of office.

President Brian Yamasaki, who began his second term this year, addressed the attendees and expressed his New Year’s resolution, saying he hopes to serve as a bridge to the next generation.

Following this, representatives from the Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles and major Japanese American organizations delivered congratulatory remarks.

After the toast, members, families, and guests enjoyed fellowship.

Following lunch, an awards ceremony was held to honor distinguished member, and Sogetsu-ryu Ikebana School instructor Yoko Kitajima gave an ikebana demonstration and lecture.

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February 15th 2026 O.A.

2026 JRA New Year’s Reception

On January 26, the Japanese Restaurant Association of America held its New Year’s reception at the Miyako Hybrid Hotel in Torrance.

The association is a nonprofit organization made up of owners of Japanese restaurants and food-related businesses.

Currently, about 200 companies are registered in Southern California alone, and the association works to promote authentic Japanese food culture through hygiene guidance as well as Japanese food events and community service activities.

Along with JRA members, about 100 representatives from Japanese American organizations attended.
Consul General Murota of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles spoke about the outlook for promoting Japanese cuisine in other states, while President Shinji Kugita shared his goals for the coming year.

After the toast, guests enjoyed sushi and drinks while networking with one another.
The event concluded with President Kugita presenting certificates of appreciation to three major food wholesalers for their contributions.

2026 Pechanga Lunar New Year Celebration

A variety of Lunar New Year celebration events will be held throughout February at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula.

Pechanga Resort Casino runs its annual Lunar New Year promotion at this time every year, and on February 3 an overview of this year’s program was presented to Asian media.

The highlight is a grand raffle with prizes totaling $888,000. The first prize winner will receive a Ferrari in celebration of the Year of the Horse.

During the period through February 28, Pechanga Rewards members can earn entries simply by playing slots or table games.
Membership in Pechanga Rewards is free. The final drawing will be held on February 28, when the Ferrari winner will be announced.

Pechanga is currently decorated throughout the resort to create a festive New Year atmosphere.

Through March 8, three of the resort’s Asian restaurants are offering special Lunar New Year menus.

In addition, on February 21, a free lion dance performance will be held, providing opportunities to enjoy the Lunar New Year in many ways beyond the casino.

For more details, please visit the “Lunar New Year” page on the Pechanga Resort Casino website.

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February 1st 2026 O.A.

2026 OAA New Year’s Party

The New Year’s Party and officer installation ceremony of the Okinawa Association of America, or OAA, was held on January 18 in Carson.

The OAA is a nonprofit organization with a 117-year history.
It promotes friendship among its members, supports the local community, and preserves Okinawan culture.

This year, all officers continued from last year, including President Vicki Oshiro-Nishiuchi for the third year.
During the installation ceremony, the oath of office was administered by Al Muratsuchi, a California State Assembly member born in Okinawa.

At the ceremony, a commemorative plaque was presented to architect Skyler Kogachi, AIA, who was involved in the renovation of the OAA Center in Gardena, the association’s headquarters.

This was followed by a kagami biraki ceremony.
Participants born in the Year of the Horse were invited to the stage to join a toast with approximately 450 attendees.

The event concluded with members performing various Okinawan arts, celebrating the start of the new year with enjoyment.

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January 25th 2026 O.A.

JBA 2026 New Year’s Party

On January 16, the Japanese Business Association of Southern California, or JBA, held a New Year’s Party in Torrance.

The JBA is a nonprofit organization with about 430 Japanese companies in Southern California as members.
It provides mutual support for its members, promotes Japan-US business understanding, ontributes to the local community, and celebrates its 65th anniversary this year.

More than 500 members and guests attended the New Year’s Party, which offered an opportunity to network and celebrate the new year.

At the ceremony, JBA President Fujinami gave a greeting and encouraged members to apply the association’s strengths in their daily activities.

Next, Consul General Murota of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles took the stage and expressed his hopes that Japanese companies work together to discover business opportunities unique to this region.

The event ended with a raffle of prizes from member companies, including round-trip tickets to Japan.
Amid smiles and cheers, the New Year’s Party concluded.

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January 1st 2026 O.A.

2026 Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo

On New Year’s Day January 1, Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo was held in Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles.

This annual event began to offer people in Los Angeles a chance to experience Japanese New Year traditions. This year marked its 27th edition.

Although rain was a concern this year, the weather included occasional sunny breaks, and many visitors gathered at Weller Court, the main venue.

The event is organized by JCCSA, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California, a nonprofit organization that supports Japanese American businesses in Southern California and promotes cultural activities.

At the opening ceremony, New Year’s greetings were delivered by Jeff Yamazaki, who became President of JCCSC this year, followed by Consul General Kosei Murota of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles.

This was followed by a traditional kagami biraki ceremony performed by representatives, celebrating the start of the New Year.

Afterward, demonstrations of Japanese culture such as calligraphy and martial arts were presented. Songs and dances were also performed, creating an energetic and festive atmosphere at the venue.

Along Onizuka Street, booths offered street food like yakisoba and New Year specialties such as mochi, amazake, and sake, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the area.

A stage was also set up at Japanese Village Plaza, attracting many visitors.

Shops and temples around Little Tokyo also saw lively New Year crowds.

At the Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin of Los Angeles, long lines formed for the first shrine visit of the year.
Families and couples purchased good luck charms and drew fortune slips, praying for safety and peace in the year ahead.

#Support SAKE Night

An event organized by #SupportSake, which promotes sake in the United States, was held in Hollywood on December 8.

#SupportSake is an initiative by the Japan External Trade Organization, JETRO.
It aims to support sake breweries facing a shrinking domestic market in Japan. The initiative uses social media like Instagram to connect sake fans in the United States and create a community.

On this day, an awards ceremony was held for a photo campaign. Now in its third year, the contest invited participants to share photos of how they enjoy sake.

Under the theme My Favorite Sake, prizes were given to top entries from over 300 submissions.

The grand prize, which included a plane ticket to Japan, went to Stephanie from Georgia. The result highlighted the growing popularity of sake across the United States.

The event featured a report on a tour of Japanese sake breweries by last year’s grand prize winner and a trivia quiz about sake.
It was filled with a warm and friendly atmosphere.

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December 28th 2025 O.A.

Southern California Amamikai 50th anniversary

On November 22, the Amami Shimauta and Oshima Tsumugi Show was held in Torrance.
The event commemorated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Southern California Amamikai, a social association formed by people from the Amami Islands.

The Amami Islands are part of Kagoshima Prefecture and consist mainly of eight inhabited islands, including Amami Oshima and Tokunoshima, located between southern Kyushu and Okinawa.

On this day, an Amami product fair was also held at the venue.
One item in particular drew attention, Oshima Tsumugi.
Oshima Tsumugi is a traditional silk textile primarily produced on Amami Oshima and is regarded as one of the world’s three great textiles, alongside France’s Gobelin tapestries and Iran’s Persian carpets.

The show opened with a Ryukyu-style lion dance performed by Shishigumi LA.
Representing the guests from Amami, Amami City Mayor Sohei Yasuda delivered a greeting, expressing respect and gratitude for the association’s 50 years of activities.

For the Shimauta performance, two singers active in Amami were invited and showcased the appeal of the island songs through traditional pieces as well as collaborations with modern dance.

In the Oshima Tsumugi fashion show, the versatility of the textile was presented through designs ranging from traditional kimono to Western-style dresses.

The event concluded with performers and audience members coming together in lively Amami-style dancing and singing, creating a festive and energetic finale.

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December 21st 2025 O.A.

Nanka Ehime Kenjinkai 115th anniversary

On Sunday, November 9, the Nanka Ehime Kenjinkai held its 115th anniversary celebration in Montebello.

About 150 members and community representatives attended the ceremony.
The event began with a greeting from Kihei Otani, president of the Nanka Ehime Kenjinkai.

Next, representatives of the local Japanese community in Los Angeles spoke, followed by greetings from visiting officials from the Ehime Prefectural Assembly and Government Office.

After the meal, a lecture was given by Tomio Moriguchi, president of Uwajimaya, a Japanese supermarket with its main store in Seattle.

Uwajimaya was founded by an Ehime native and is a pioneer among Japanese supermarkets that have continued since before World War II.
“At the ceremony honoring long-time contributors to the Nanka Ehime Kenjinkai, Vice Governor Kan of Ehime Prefecture presented certificates to each recipient.
Hidejiro Matsu, an advisor to the Nanka Ehime Kenjinkai and a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, spoke on behalf of the honorees to express his gratitude.”

The winning entries of an essay contest held to celebrate the 115th anniversary were also announced. Winners from the elementary, middle, and high school divisions read aloud their essays expressing their thoughts about Ehime Prefecture.
During the ceremony, there were also calligraphy performances and a raffle drawing.

The event concluded successfully.

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December 14th 2025 O.A.

November 23rd 2025 O.A.

JRA Sushi and Sake Festival

On Sunday, November 2, the Sushi and Sake Festival was held in Little Tokyo.

The event is organized by the Japanese Restaurant Association of America (JRA), an industry group founded in 1999 to improve skills and hygiene in the U.S. Japanese food industry and to support legal and business needs.

The festival aims to further promote Japanese food culture in Los Angeles and is now in its 24th year.
It is held each year around this time because November 1 in Japan is Sushi Day.

Because the event offers unlimited food and sake, advance tickets sell out every year.
This year as well, Japanese food fans formed long lines even before the event began.

The main attraction for attendees was, of course, sushi.
They enjoyed sushi prepared by chefs from well-known restaurants.

On stage, a giant tuna carving demonstration was held as one of the attractions, creating great excitement among the crowd.
The carved tuna was prepared on the spot and served to visitors as sushi and sashimi.

In addition to sushi, the food area offered wagyu beef, yakitori, oden, and various drinks.
Outside, ramen, okonomiyaki, and many other types of Japanese food were served with the cooperation of JRA member organizations and companies.

In the alcohol section, numerous varieties of sake, including junmai, ginjo, and daiginjo from various breweries, were introduced. Participants enjoyed tasting and comparing the different flavors.

This year, the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association also set up a special shochu section. 12 distilleries hosted booths, offering lectures and other activities to promote shochu.

The event also featured a booth by the Association for the Advancement of the Japanese Culinary Arts (AAJ), considered the oldest organization of Japanese cuisine chefs in Japan.

AAJ aims to preserve Japanese culinary techniques, develop new Japanese cuisine, and promote it worldwide.
In the United States, it conducts the bronze-level certification exam under the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture’s program for cooking skills abroad.

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November 23rd 2025 O.A.

LTSC Mental Health Conference

On November 1, a conference on mental health was held in Little Tokyo.

Titled ‘Ebb and Flow,’ the conference was hosted by the Little Tokyo Service Center and was held for the third time this year.
The event aims to deepen understanding of mental health within the Asian American community, with a particular focus on Japanese Americans.

It opened with a panel discussion featuring survivors of the Pacific Palisades and Eaton wildfires, held at the Terasaki Budokan.
Panelists spoke about the trauma they experienced and the process of healing.

One of the speakers, artist Miki Yokoyama, lost her home and all of her previous works in the Eaton fire.

Afterwards, seminars on therapy, caregiving, and addiction were held in English, Japanese, or both.
One of the sessions focused on understanding and supporting Japanese unhoused individuals.

Many Japanese nationals in the community have become homeless for a variety of reasons.
Some are seniors who came to the United States in the 1980s and 1990s, lived without legal status, and can no longer work due to age.
Others are young people struggling with drug dependency or mental health issues.
Some are women who lost their homes due to divorce or domestic violence.

The Little Tokyo Service Center offers many programs and staff who can provide support in Japanese for those facing difficult situations.
More information is available on the website LTSC.org.

OCJAA Senior Citizen Appreciation Day

On Saturday October 26 the Orange County Japanese American Association hosted Senior Citizen Appreciation Day in Fountain Valley.

The event honors elders who have contributed to building and developing the local community and this year marked its thirty ninth anniversary.

The ceremony began with a speech by OCJAA President Yasuyuki Okazoe followed by representatives of the Japanese American community.
They congratulated the seniors thanked them for their community contributions and wished them health and long life.

Fifteen seniors turning eighty this year received certificates honoring their achievements and longevity.
The winners of the Nerio Japanese Cultural Scholarship were also announced. The scholarship supports young people who preserve Japanese culture.

The venue featured a tea ceremony experience and children read messages they had written for the elders along with other entertainment on stage.
Approximately two hundred forty participants enjoyed a peaceful time together while eating boxed lunches.

OCJAA also operates the Senior Shiawase Project.
The project provides free lunches each month to about one hundred Japanese Americans over eighty in Orange County. It also helps prevent isolation and supports a safe and caring environment for seniors.
This event is part of that ongoing effort.

Fuji-kan Theater Monument

A historical marker has been installed at the former site of the Fuji-kan Theater, which opened in Little Tokyo in 1925, and its unveiling ceremony was held on October 30.

The marker commemorates the 100th anniversary of the theater’s opening. It was made possible by the Little Tokyo Historical Society in partnership with the City of Los Angeles.

The Fuji-kan Theater is known as the venue where Japanese silent films were first shown in Los Angeles in 1926, and for many years it presented Japanese films with live narrators known as benshi.
The theater closed in 1942.

At the ceremony, representatives from the City of Los Angeles, the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, and the Little Tokyo Business Association delivered remarks.
They spoke about the importance of preserving Little Tokyo’s history and culture for future generations.

Following the ceremony, a lecture on Sessue Hayakawa, who began his acting career in Little Tokyo and became a Hollywood star in the 1920s, also covered the long standing ties between the Japanese American community and Hollywood. The lecture was delivered by Professor Daisuke Miyao of UC San Diego.

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November 16th 2025 O.A.

Intercollegiate Nikkei Council “Beach Day”

INC, the Southern California Intercollegiate Nikkei Council, held an event on October 18 at Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey.

INC is made up of Japanese student unions from thirteen universities across Southern California.
Its goal is to build connections among students across different schools and strengthen the local Japanese community.

The Beach Day, held annually at the start of the new academic year, brings together students from all thirteen member universities for a networking event.

This year, approximately seven hundred people attended. Participants first gathered by school but quickly mingled through games and activities.

LA Welcomes Consul General Murota

Kohei Murota Welcomed at Assumption of Post Reception as Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles on October 17.

Consul General Murota assumed his post in August this year.
Before coming to Los Angeles, he served as a senior director in the National Security Secretariat and has held key security and foreign policy posts since joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1994.

The reception was attended by members of the Japanese American community and political, business, and cultural leaders from Los Angeles. Speakers expressed hope for further Japan-US cooperation and exchanges.

Consul General Murota stated that he aims to strengthen Japan-US friendship through understanding gained from being in the local community.

Regarding the Japanese American community, he noted that the leading generation is reaching a transitional period. He expressed his intention to build cooperative relationships with the fourth and fifth generations and new Japanese Americans while learning from the history and experiences of the community.

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