The Consulate General of Japan Presents 150th Anniversary of the Kanrin Maru: A Historic Milestone in U.S.-Japan Relations.

The Kanrin Maru was the first Japanese ship to cross the Pacific Ocean. The delegation's first destination was San Francisco, becoming the first grassroots exchange between America and Japan. The ship's arrival in San Francisco in 1860 was a historic milestone in the 150 year relationship between the United States and Japan. This voyage signified Japan's desire and resolve to break its policy of isolation and develop relations with other countries, as it provided an opportunity for the first official exchange between the peoples of the United States and Japan. Members of the voyage included future leaders of Japan, such as Fukuzawa Yukichi, the founder of the Keio University - the oldest private university in Japan.

"150th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Kanrin Maru to San Francisco: A Historic Milestone in U.S.-Japan Relations" will explore the voyage of Kanrin Maru, focusing on how the voyage impacted this important relationship.

Monday, March 15, 2010
Location: Hotel Kabuki in San Francisco's Japantown
Registration/Reception: 6:00-6:30PM
Lecture and Q&A: 6:30-8:00PM
Admission: Free
RSVP: Please email prinfo@cgjsf.org
To get a flyer, click here .

Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Location: Washington Square Hall 109 (WSQ 109 ), San Jose State University
*The room has been changed
Lecture and Q&A: 3:30-4:30PM
Light Reception: 4:30-5:00PM
Admission: Free
RSVP: Please email prinfo@cgjsf.org
To get a flyer, click here .

About the lecturer;
Professor Naoyuki Agawa received a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown Universityin 1977 and his Juris Doctor from Georgetown Law in 1984. Professor Agawa was a practicing attorney for 15 years at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and Nishimura & Partners, Tokyo. He then ventured into academia, where he has been a lecturer and a professor at Doshisha University, University of Virginia Law School, and Georgetown Law. He also served as the Director of the Japan Information & Culture Center at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. from 2007 to 2009. Now, Professor Agawa is Vice-President of International Collaboration at the prestigious Keio University in Tokyo.

Sponsored by Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco

Supported by:
Tthe Kanrin Maru 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee
Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California
Japan Society of Northern California
Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California
Japanese American Association of Northern California