U.S. Ambassador Has Visited Every Prefecture in Japan

May 18, 2012

Today, with his visit to Shimoda in Shizuoka Prefecture, United States Ambassador to Japan John V. Roos has visited all 47 prefectures in Japan. Upon his arrival in Japan in August 2009, Ambassador Roos sought to experience as much of Japan as possible, in order to understand the culture, views, and aspirations of Japanese citizens throughout the entire country.

From Hokkaido to Okinawa, from the Kansai to the Kanto, from Kyushu to Honshu, the Ambassador, often accompanied by his wife, Susie, and on many occasions their son and daughter, saw the remarkable diversity, beauty, and hospitality of Japan. He has met thousands of Japanese students, businesspeople, officials, and every-day citizens. Every conversation contributed to strengthening of the U.S.-Japan relationship.

The Ambassador's travels across Japan took on added significance in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis of March 2011. With each trip - including nine to Tohoku - the Ambassador sent a message to the world that Japan was safe and open for business. He met at every stop with members of the "TOMODACHI generation" - Japan's youth, who will play a key role in revitalizing Tohoku and in building an even stronger U.S.-Japan partnership in the future.

Ambassador Roos looks forward to continuing his travels across Japan with the goal of further enhancing the deep bonds of mutual understanding and friendship that exist between the people of Japan and the people of the United States. Beginning today, the Ambassador will send a series of tweets commemorating some of his most memorable experiences from each prefecture. Please visit @AmbassadorRoos to follow the Twitter travelogue.