Science Award Winners Visit the Embassy
Dec. 15 - Sabrina Prabakaran and Christopher King, winners of of the 2008 Special Awards Program of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), visited the Embassy and met with Ambassador Schieffer. The ISEF is the world's largest pre-college science competition exclusively for students in grades 9–12. Ms. Prabakaran and Mr. King are being hosted by the U.S. Army, the sponsor of their special awards.
At right: ISEF Award Winners Sabrina Prabakaran and Christopher King with Ambassador Schieffer.
Person of the Year Award
Dec. 10 - Ambassador Schieffer received the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) 2008 Person of the Year Award from ACCJ president Allan D. Smith at the Okura Hotel in Tokyo. The ACCJ also presented the Ambassador with a gift of his portrait. [Ambassador's remarks]
U.S. Teacher of the Year visits the Embassy
Nov. 26 - U.S. Teacher of the Year Michael Geisen, a science teacher at Crook County Middle School in Prineville, Oregon, paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Schieffer. The National Teacher of the Year Program focuses public attention on teaching excellence and is the oldest and most prestigious awards program for teachers. Mr. Geisen was given the award by President Bush at a White House ceremony on April 30, 2008. The Japan Educational Exchange – Baba Foundation invited Mr. Geisen to Japan to share his educational experiences with Japanese educators.
Fire Department Gives LTC Loy Lifesaver Award
Nov. 18 - On behalf of the Fire Chief, the Shibuya Fire Department on November 17 presented James R. "Bob" Loy, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, with a Certificate of Appreciation for coming to the aid of a person in medical distress. Colonel Loy, dining with his wife in a local restaurant on November 7, performed necessary cardio-pulmonary resuscitation on an elderly Japanese man who had collapsed at the next table, keeping him alive until an emergency medical team arrived and took over.
Ambassador at Basketball Game
Nov. 1 - Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer attended the Tokyo Apache basketball game against Sendai 89ers at the Ariake Stadium and extended his greetings to the crowd of sports fans.
Local Girl Scouts Visit the Embassy
Oct. 24 - Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer and Deputy Chief of Mission James P. Zumwalt greeted a group of Girl Scouts and Brownies on their study tour of the Embassy. The girls also talked with Embassy officials about their jobs, and visited the Embassy's Information Resource Center and TV Studio.
Maestro Ozawa visits the Embassy
Oct. 17 - World-renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa visited the Embassy on his way to New York for the Metropolitan Opera's production of "Queen of Spades" in November. The Maestro, currently the Musical Director for the Vienna State Opera, served as Musical Director for the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1973 to 2002, one of the longest tenures in the history of any American orchestra.
Meeting with Prime Minister
Oct. 16 - During his October 15-17 visit to Japan, Senator Hagel met Prime Minister Taro Aso. Ambassador Schieffer also attended the meeting.
Meeting with Defense Minister
Oct. 16 - U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, accompanied by Ambassador Schieffer, met with Minister of Defense Yasukazu Hamada.
Japanese Basketball Courtesy Call
Oct. 14 - Ambassador Schieffer welcomed the visit of Toshimitsu Kawachi, Commissioner, Japan Professional Basketball League, with Joe Bryant, Head Coach of the Tokyo Apache team, and two team members. From left to right: Cohey Aoki, player, Tokyo Apache; Nick Davis, player, Tokyo Apache; Ambassador Schieffer; Commissioner Kawachi; Head Coach Bryant.
USS George Washington
Sept. 25 - Ambassador Schieffer and Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter welcomed the arrival of the USS George Washington (CVN 73) to Yokosuka, Japan.
30th Anniversary Celebration
Sept. 19 - Ambassador Schieffer spoke at the celebration of the 30th anniversary of former Aio-Kai members (retired local employees of the U.S. Embassy).
Meeting at Ministry of Defense
Aug. 12 - Ambassador Schieffer and Lieutenant General Edward A. Rice, Jr., Commander U.S. Forces Japan, met with Defense Minister Yoshi Hayashi at the Ministry of Defense.
Ambassador Schieffer Speaks at Misawa
Aug. 8 - Ambassador Schieffer traveled to Misawa, in northern Japan, and spoke on the topic of "Looking at U.S.-Japan Relations from a Local Perspective." The event commemorated the 50th anniversary of the official establishment of the town of Misawa.
Independence Day Celebration
July 4 - Ambassador Schieffer and Foreign Minister Koumura toasted U.S. Independence Day at the Embassy party held at the Hotel Okura.
Ambassador Schieffer posed at the party with special guests from Tokyo Disneyland.
Student Interviews Ambassador Schieffer
July 1 - Texas High School student Mark Kerby, visiting Japan on a Rotary Club program which included a homestay with a Japanese family, taped an interview with Ambassador Schieffer in the Embassy studio to be shown on his school's "TigerVision" television channel.
G8 Finance Ministers' Meeting, June 13-14, Osaka
June 14 - Henry M. Paulson, Jr., Secretary of the Treasury visited Osaka, Japan, where he participated in the June 13-14 G8 Finance Ministers' Meeting. He made a statement following the meeting discussing some new challenges for the global economy and thanking Minister Nukaga and his staff at the Japanese Ministry of Finance for hosting the meeting. [More photos]
G8 Justice and Home Affairs Ministers' Meeting, June 11-13, Tokyo
June 13 - Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey and Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Paul A. Schneider attended the G8 Justice and Home Affairs Ministers' Meeting in Tokyo, June 11-13. The Ministers issued a Declaration on Capacity Building Assistance and a Concluding Declaration. [More photos]
G8 Energy Ministers' Meeting, June 7-8, Aomori
June 8 - Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman visited Aomori, Japan where he participated in the Five-Country and the Group of Eight (G8), China, India and Korea Energy Ministerial meetings hosted by Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akira Amari. [DOE Press Release] [More photos]
Cherry Blossom Queens
May 22 - Emily Little of Maine, the 2008 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen, and Megumi Yoshida of Saitama Prefecture, the 2008 Japan Cherry Blossom Queen, paid a call on Ambassador Schieffer at the Embassy.
Space Shuttle Crew Meets Japanese StudentsMay 14 - The crew members of STS-123 NASA space shuttle Endeavor discussed their March 11-26 mission to the International Space Station and other aspects of astronaut life with a group of Tokyo-area Japanese junior high and high school students on May 13 at the Embassy. The mission delivered the first part of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's "Kibo" module. Students from Naha and Fukuoka also participated in the program by digital video conference. [More photos]
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G8 Labor Ministers' Meeting, May 11-13, NiigataMay 13 - Deputy Secretary of Labor Howard M. Radzely headed the U.S. delegation to the May 11-13 G8 Labor and Employment Ministers' Meeting in Niigata. [Chair's Conclusions] [More photos]
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Deputy Secretary of State Visit May 12 - Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte visited Japan May 8-11, 2008 for official consultations. The Deputy Secretary, pictured here with Sumo Grand Champions Asashoryu (left) and Hakuho (right), also enjoyed Japanese cultural events. [More photos of the Deputy Secretary's visit]
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Honoring Morio SatoApril 16 - Ambassador Schieffer presented the Ambassador's Retirement Recognition Award to Morio Sato "in grateful recognition of more than 42 years of service as an art and graphics professional in the Embassy of the United States of America, Tokyo, Japan."
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YIES SpeechApril 4 - Ambassador Schieffer was the guest and featured speaker of the Yomiuri International Economic Society's meeting in Osaka. [Ambassador's remarks]
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Certificate of Appreciation to Toshiyuki TanakaMarch 27 - Ambassador Schieffer presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Toshiyuki Tanaka in recognition of his generous contributions and commitment to deepening the friendship between the U.S. and Japan.
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Lecture at NIDSMarch 19 - The National Institute for Defense Studies of the Japanese Ministry of Defense hosted Ambassador Schieffer as a guest lecturer.
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Ambassador Addresses Indiana University Journalism StudentsMarch 13 - Ambassador Schieffer discussed U.S.-Japan relations and the conduct of foreign policy at the Embassy with a group of American college students visiting Japan from Indiana University.
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Ambassador Meets Justice MinisterMarch 11 - Ambassador Schieffer paid a courtesy call on Minister of Justice Kunio Hatoyama at the Ministry of Justice.
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Black History Month Essay Contest
March 7 - Ambassador Schieffer congratulated the finalists of the Black History Month contest sponsored by Temple University, Japan Campus, in cooperation with the Embassy. Students were invited to submit essays, visual creations, or short films on the theme of "Martin Luther King's Dream in a Divided World," and winners were announced February 22. Winning works:
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Secretary of State VisitFeb. 27 - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, shown here with Ambassador Schieffer and Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura, visited Japan February 27-28, 2008. [More photos of the Secretary's visit]
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Meeting with Governor of OkinawaFeb. 13 - Ambassador Schieffer met with Governor Hirokazu Nakaima and made a statement to the Governor and the people of Okinawa.
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NHK InterviewJan. 27 - NHK Special aired an interview of Ambassador Schieffer with Shuichi Izumo, News Editor for U.S. Affairs and Military Affairs, International News Division. Mr. Izumo interviewed the Ambassador at his residence in Tokyo.
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Embassy Holds Traditional Japanese "Shinnenkai"
Jan. 25 - Ambassador Schieffer enjoyed a bowl of o-zoni (rice cakes boiled with vegetables) at the Shinnenkai (New Year's party) organized by Embassy staff members. 
Calligraphy at the Shinnenkai Ambassador Schieffer, shown here with Embassy staff member Yoshiko Tomizuka, wrote his name in katakana. |
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"Japan! Culture+Hyper Culture" Reception Jan. 23 - Ambassador Schieffer enjoyed a send-off reception in Tokyo hosted by Foreign Minister Koumura in honor of the artists who will be participating in the Kennedy Center's "Japan! Culture+Hyper Culture" festival in Washington, D.C., from February 5-17.
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Keynote SpeakerJan. 23 - Ambassador Schieffer spoke to a full house at the Keizai-Koho Center & MIT-Japan Symposium.
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