PRESS RELEASE

Renovations Complete on Nagoya Consulate and American Center

Ambassador-level Envoy Appointed for Aichi Expo to Highlight U.S. Ties

March 15, 2005

Recognizing the growing importance of the Chubu region and the attention this area will draw with the opening of the Aichi World Exposition 2005, the United States Government has recently re-located its consulate in Nagoya to newly refurbished and renovated facilities shared with the Nagoya American Center on the sixth floor of the Nagoya International Center Building.

In addition, President George Bush has accorded the personal rank of Ambassador to U.S. Commissioner General (of Section) for Aichi Expo Lisa Guillerman Gable. This designation is effective throughout the period of the Exposition and represents the first time that a U.S. envoy of this rank has been stationed in Nagoya.

On Thursday, March 17, at 1 p.m. Commissioner General Gable will participate in a press conference in the newly remodeled facility. Mrs. Gable will arrive in Nagoya on March 16 to take up her duties as Commissioner General in overseeing the operation of the U.S. Pavilion. The March 17 press conference will be her first press appearance after arrival.

Commissioner General Gable is assisted by two Deputy Commissioners General. Mr. Douglas West is Deputy Commissioner General representing the private sector. Nagoya Principal Officer (currently Gary Oba) is Deputy Commissioner General representing the U.S. Mission in Japan. Pavilion Director is Mr. Bernard Taresco.

In order to improve the efficiency, organization and coordination among entities of the U.S. Government present in Nagoya, the facilities of the U.S. Consulate Nagoya and the Nagoya American Center have been co-located in newly refurbished facilities in the Nagoya International Center Building. The extensive renovations bring together the offices of the Consulate, including the office of the U.S. Commercial Service, and the Nagoya American Center. The renovation work represents a sizeable investment by the U.S. Government in the Chubu region, and reflects the growing importance placed on the region by the U.S. Government.

The United States first started consular activities in Nagoya in 1912 but did not open a consulate until 1920. The American Center traces its history in Nagoya back to 1947 when it was just a simple library. Renamed the Nagoya American Cultural Center in 1953, the NACC promoted cultural understanding between the people of Japan and America.

The new address is:

American Consulate Nagoya and Nagoya American Center
Nagoya International Center Building 6F
1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku
Nagoya 450-0001

Telephone: 052-581-4501