Visit to Philadelphia, the United States of America by Mrs. KISHIDA Yuko, the Spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan (September 21, 2024) (Summary)

[Provisional translation]

On September 21, 2024 (local time), Mrs. KISHIDA Yuko, the spouse of the Prime Minister, who is visiting the United States of America with Prime Minister Kishida, visited Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Mrs. Kishida visited Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, and National Constitution Center, followed by the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Afterwards, Mrs. Kishida visited “Shofuso,” a center for cultural exchange between the U.S. and Japan, where she held talks with people working on Japanese language education and research on Japanese culture. Lastly, Mrs. Kishida attended a dinner with people involved in Japan-U.S. cultural exchange in the region.

1. Visit to Places related to the Independence (Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, National Constitution Center)
Mrs. KISHIDA Yuko, the spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan, visited Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the National Constitution Center, guided by Mr. Morikawa, Honorary Consul in Philadelphia, Mr. Sims, Superintendent of the Independence National Historical Park, and others. First, she visited Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed, and then she viewed the Liberty Bell, a symbol of U.S. independence. At the National Constitution Center, she viewed the exhibition related to women’s suffrage in the U.S and received an explanation about materials related to the U.S. Constitution and others.

2. Visit to Philadelphia Museum of Art
Mrs. Kishida visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art. She saw the special exhibition “Visions of the Land in Edo Japan and viewed Japan-related materials, including the restored Japanese Teahouse “Sunkaraku” at the museum. She was guided by Ms. Maggie Fairs, Vice President of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, as well as the museum’s expert curators, including those of Japanese art.

3. Mrs. Kishida’s Talks in Shofuso
Mrs. Kishida visited “Shofuso,” a center for cultural exchange between the U.S. and Japan located in a Japanese-style garden in Fairmount Park that attracts more than 40,000 people a year. Over matcha served by Ms. Sachiko Houck, Chief of Administration of Chado Urasenke Tankokai Philadelphia, Mrs. Kishida held talks with people working on Japanese language education and research on Japanese culture. Mrs. Kishida said that she was amazed by the great Japanese garden, further saying “I would like to express my sincere respect for the daily efforts of all those involved in Japanese language education and the research of Japanese culture who play an important role in the development of Japan-U.S. relations.” The participants expressed high interest in Japanese language education and Japanese culture there, and a friendly exchange of views took place between them and Mrs. Kishida.

[Reference] Participants
(1) Mr. Jorge Leon, President of Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP)
(2) Ms. Kazumi Teune, Executive Director, JASGP
(3) Ms. Theresa Carney, Senior Director, JASGP
(4) Mr. David Briel, Deputy Secretary, Office of International Business Development, Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (JET Alumni)
(5) Mr. Takaharu Fukuzawa, Principal of Japanese Language School of Philadelphia
(6) Dr. Linda Chance, Associate Professor, Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, University of Pennsylvania
(7) Mr. Dennis Morikawa, Honorary Consul in Philadelphia

[Reference] Shofuso
Shofuso, located in Fairmount Park, was originally built in Nagoya in 1953 using traditional techniques and materials (it was designed by architect Junzo Yoshimura). After being exhibited in the courtyard of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York for two years, from 1954-1956, it was later relocated in 1958 to its current location in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. The building includes a tearoom and is adjacent to the site of the first Japanese garden in America, created for the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. More than 40,000 visitors come each year.

4. Dinner Meeting with Persons Involved in Japan-U.S. Cultural Exchange
Mrs. Kishida attended a dinner with people involved in Japan-U.S. cultural exchange in the region. Participants shared their activities in various fields, especially their experiences in Japan-U.S. exchanges and the promotion of Japanese culture in the U.S., including the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia organized by Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia. Listening to their stories, Mrs. Kishida said, “I feel that the Japan-U.S. relationship is supported by a foundation built on the accumulation of people-to-people connections and exchanges.”

[References] Participants
(1) Ms. Kazumi Teune, Executive Director, JASGP
(2) Mr. Daniel Matsukawa, Principal Bassoon, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Faculty Member at the Curtis Institute of Music and Temple University, and Music Director and Conductor of the Independence Sinfonia
(3) Mr. Tadashi Yoshida, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Subaru of America
(4) Mr. Yuji Takahashi, VP, Tokio Marine North America
(5) Dr. Xiaojin Wu, Luther W. Brady Curator of Japanese Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art
(6) Ms. Nan Sato, Partner & Co-Chair of International Practice, Fisher Phillips, President of Wagyu Sommelier
(7) Mr. Dennis Morikawa, Honorary Consul in Philadelphia