Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shunsuke Takei Visits Denver (September 22-24, 2016)
2016/10/3
Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Shunsuke Takei visited Colorado from September 22-24, 2016, actively exchanging views with a variety of government officials and citizens, as follows.
1．Meeting with Colorado Lt. Governor Donna Lynne and President of the Senate Bill Cadman
On September 23, 2016, Mr. Takei met separately with Lt. Governor Donna Lynne of Colorado and President of the Colorado Senate Bill Cadman, and exchanged views on the relationship between Japan and Colorado. Mr. Takei told them that he is pleased to see the strong ties between Japan and Colorado, symbolized by recent frequent exchanges of VIP visitors. In response, Lt. Governor Lynne and President Cadman expressed their desire to cooperate in further strengthening relations, such as through more frequent personnel exchanges.
2．Meeting with U.S Senator Cory Gardner
On the same day, Mr. Takei met also with U.S. Senator Cory Gardner to exchange views on relations between Japan and the United States. Senator Gardner noted that since they are both relatively young legislators, he would like to cooperate with Mr. Takei for a long time. Mr. Takei responded that he also would like to coordinate closely with Senator Gardner in various areas.
3．Meeting with Lt. Mayor Donald Mares
On the same day, Mr. Takei held a meeting with Denver Lt. Mayor Donald Mares to discuss relations between Japan and the city of Denver. Lt. Mayor Mares expressed his desire for continued strong cooperation with Japan, mentioning the long relationship between Denver and Japan which is symbolized by Sakura Square in downtown Denver.
4．Japanese Firms Association of Colorado
On the same day, Mr. Takei met with representatives from the Japanese Firms Association of Colorado (JFA) and exchanged views on the economic situation in Colorado. After Mr. Takei was briefed about JFA activities, he expressed his sincere respect for the JFA efforts, and confirmed ongoing coordination between the Consulate General office and JFA in the future.
5．Japanese Company Visit
On the same day, Mr. Takei visited Terumo BCT in Lakewood where he received an overview of the company and participated in a factory tour of a facility producing medical disposal kits.
6．Visit to Sakura Square and Meeting with President of the Japanese American Association of Colorado
On the same day, Mr. Takei visited Sakura Square in downtown Denver, where he met with Mr. Calvin Hada, President of the Japanese American Association of Colorado, and received a briefing about the group’s activities.
7．Attend Opening Ceremony of Japanese Ceramics Exhibition at Denver Art Museum
In the evening of September 23, Mr. Takei attended the opening ceremony of a new Japanese Ceramics exhibition at Denver Art Museum. In remarks to guests, he expressed his thoughts on the value of deeper understanding through cultural arts, as offered by the exhibition on historical ceramics development in Japan.
8. Attend Sports Day Festival of Colorado Japanese School
On September 24, 2016, Mr. Takei attended the opening ceremony of the Colorado Japanese School’s annual Sports Day festival, where he gave remarks cheering on the children and their parents. He also enjoyed exercising and participating in some of the games and competitions with the students and parents.
1．Meeting with Colorado Lt. Governor Donna Lynne and President of the Senate Bill Cadman
On September 23, 2016, Mr. Takei met separately with Lt. Governor Donna Lynne of Colorado and President of the Colorado Senate Bill Cadman, and exchanged views on the relationship between Japan and Colorado. Mr. Takei told them that he is pleased to see the strong ties between Japan and Colorado, symbolized by recent frequent exchanges of VIP visitors. In response, Lt. Governor Lynne and President Cadman expressed their desire to cooperate in further strengthening relations, such as through more frequent personnel exchanges.
2．Meeting with U.S Senator Cory Gardner
On the same day, Mr. Takei met also with U.S. Senator Cory Gardner to exchange views on relations between Japan and the United States. Senator Gardner noted that since they are both relatively young legislators, he would like to cooperate with Mr. Takei for a long time. Mr. Takei responded that he also would like to coordinate closely with Senator Gardner in various areas.
3．Meeting with Lt. Mayor Donald Mares
On the same day, Mr. Takei held a meeting with Denver Lt. Mayor Donald Mares to discuss relations between Japan and the city of Denver. Lt. Mayor Mares expressed his desire for continued strong cooperation with Japan, mentioning the long relationship between Denver and Japan which is symbolized by Sakura Square in downtown Denver.
4．Japanese Firms Association of Colorado
On the same day, Mr. Takei met with representatives from the Japanese Firms Association of Colorado (JFA) and exchanged views on the economic situation in Colorado. After Mr. Takei was briefed about JFA activities, he expressed his sincere respect for the JFA efforts, and confirmed ongoing coordination between the Consulate General office and JFA in the future.
5．Japanese Company Visit
On the same day, Mr. Takei visited Terumo BCT in Lakewood where he received an overview of the company and participated in a factory tour of a facility producing medical disposal kits.
6．Visit to Sakura Square and Meeting with President of the Japanese American Association of Colorado
On the same day, Mr. Takei visited Sakura Square in downtown Denver, where he met with Mr. Calvin Hada, President of the Japanese American Association of Colorado, and received a briefing about the group’s activities.
7．Attend Opening Ceremony of Japanese Ceramics Exhibition at Denver Art Museum
In the evening of September 23, Mr. Takei attended the opening ceremony of a new Japanese Ceramics exhibition at Denver Art Museum. In remarks to guests, he expressed his thoughts on the value of deeper understanding through cultural arts, as offered by the exhibition on historical ceramics development in Japan.
8. Attend Sports Day Festival of Colorado Japanese School
On September 24, 2016, Mr. Takei attended the opening ceremony of the Colorado Japanese School’s annual Sports Day festival, where he gave remarks cheering on the children and their parents. He also enjoyed exercising and participating in some of the games and competitions with the students and parents.