Visit to New York, the United States of America by Mrs. KISHIDA Yuko, the Spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan (Sunday, September 22nd) (Summary)

On September 22, 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 New York.

Mrs. Kishida visited the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, where she paid tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks, including Japanese nationals, and laid a wreath of flowers. Afterwards, Mrs. Kishida met with members of the Ikebana International, who have been promoting the art of ikebana in New York. Mrs. Kishida then visited the Japanese food section of a long-established supermarket. Lastly, Mrs. Kishida had a discussion with young Japanese professionals who are working at international organizations in New York through the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) program.

1 Visit to 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Mrs. KISHIDA visited the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, which was built on the site of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks. At the Memorial, she laid a wreath of flowers at the Survivor Tree a symbol of rebirth which sprouted from the trunk of a callery pear tree found in the burned rubbles, and fostered with care in memory of the victims of the attacks, including Japanese citizens. At the museum, she was given a briefing about people's unrest situation on the day of the attacks, the staircase that saved many lives escaping the World Trade Center, and the last remaining pillar of the collapsed World Trade Center known as the Last Column " a symbol of memory of loss.

2 Meeting with Ikebana International
Mrs. Kishida met with the president and active board members of the Ikebana International New York Chapter, who have contributed to the promotion of Japanese culture through ikebana in New York for many years. Mrs. Kishida expressed her gratitude for the ikebana demonstration and experience at the Prime Minister’s Residence organized with the cooperation of the members of the Ikebana International Tokyo Chapter, which is highly appreciated by the guests of honor from various countries She mentioned, “As Ikebana International's motto ‘Friend ship Through Flowers’ indicates, I come to realize that we have been developing our relationships through flowers. She also extended her best wishes to the Ikebana International New York Chapter, with its new president, for success at the 13th World Convention to be held in Kyoto next April.

[Participants]
（1）Roxane Wasserman, current president of the Ikebana International New York Chapter
（2）Hazue Tamura-Shtein, Vice and previous president of the Ikebana International New York Chapter
（3）Noda Noritaka, Board member of the Ikebana International New York Chapter
（4）Judith Setsuko Hata, Adviser to the Ikebana International New York Chapter
（5）Beverly Hashimoto, Advisor to the Ikebana International New York Chapter

[Reference] Ikebana International
Ikebana International was established in Tokyo in 1956 and its New York chapter was established in 1957 as the seventh chapter in the world. Currently, there are 138 chapters in 44 countries with approximately 7,000 members. The members are from various schools and strive to promote ikebana through exhibitions and other events in various locations. The 13th Ikebana International World Convention is scheduled to be held in Kyoto in April 2025.

3 Visit to Wegmans
Mrs. Kishida visited "Fish Shop/SAKANAYA" which opened in 2023 at the long established supermarket Wegmans after decades of communication with Japan through visiting Japan and partnering with Japanese companies since the 1990s, and observed a tuna demolition show. Wegmans purchases fish from all over Japan via Toyosu Fish Market. Given briefing that variety of fresh fish from Japan attracts not only Japanese but also New York locals, Mrs. Kishida was impressed that Japanese fish is enjoyed in New York as fresh as in Japan. Mrs. Kishida stated "I am glad that young people are eagerly learning the techniques that support Japanese cuisine and deepening their interest in Japanese culture and Japan through food. I hope that you will continue to spread delicious Japanese food."

4 Meeting with Young Japanese Staff Working at International Organizations
Mrs. Kishida had a meeting with Japanese Junior Professional Officers (JPOs) who are working at international organizations in New York. At the beginning of the meeting, Mrs. Kishida delivered a message of encouragement from the Prime Minister to the JPOs, saying, “The international community is facing many urgent and complex issues, and it is essential for the international community to respond to them through cooperation. Today, divisions and confrontations are deepening in the international community, and this is why we need to make efforts to connect the international community for the benefit of the people of the world. It is with this in mind that I have expressed Japan's commitment to multilateralism with the United Nations at its core, at this year's UN General Assembly. I know that you have started your careers in international organizations as JPOs and that you are struggling for the peace, security, and prosperity of the world on a daily basis. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors in international organizations to safeguard human dignity and achieve sustained peace, leaving no one behind." Mrs. Kishida listened to the various experiences of the participants, such as how rewarding it is to work in international organizations and their contributions to challenges and solutions. She said, “the activities of Japanese officials are very important in further strengthening cooperation between Japan and international organizations, and I’m delighted to have this opportunity to hear your views."

[Reference] JPO
The JPO (Junior Professional Officer) Programme is a program under which international organizations offer the acceptance of young human resources on the condition that each government bears the costs. Through this program me , the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan provides young Japanese nationals un der the age of 35 with an opportunity to gain two years of work experience at an international organization.