Opening Remark by Yoshio Okawara, Chairman,
the US-Japan 150 Years Committee

On the occasion of the 150th anniversary ceremony, I would like to offer a few words of welcome on behalf of the US-Japan 150 Years Committee.

On March 31, 1854, on this very place where we are gathered here today, our nations signed the Treaty of Peace and Amity, formally ushering in 150 years of ties.Today, on this spot where our joint history began, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and U.S. Ambassador Howard Baker have taken time from their busy schedules to mark this momentous event, along with many honored guests including Environment Minister Yuriko Koike and Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Ichiro Aisawa. The presence of so many illustrious people certainly conveys the deep significance of this date.

In the early 19th century, the great powers were jostling to expand their reach throughout Asia. Japan, meanwhile, restricted its contact with the outside world to a single point, the port of Dejima in Nagasaki. Despite limited information, however, Japan's feudal regime was able to accurately assess the world situation. The arrival of Perry's fleet in 1853 provided the opportunity for the signing of a treaty the following year, ending over 200 years of seclusion. The Meiji Restoration followed, allowing us to obtain knowledge from abroad and placing us on the path to modernity.

Considering later events, it was auspicious indeed that it was the U.S., not one of European great powers which triggered Japan's opening.

Our close alliance and cooperation, as Ambassador Baker stated so eloquently, has been favorable to both sides. Besides our close security alliance, our economic relationship has been strengthened because of the world's two leading economic powers. Cultural and sports exchanges are expanding apace, as we can see by the fact that U.S. Major League Baseball opened its season this week in Tokyo with the participation of Japanese players. In the US, meanwhile, Japanese popular culture, such as animation and cuisine, continue to gain in popularity.

We shouldn't take our good relationship for granted, however. In order to promote mutual understanding and deeper mutual trust, we must rely not just on the government and private sector, but continually seek better ties at every level.

We at the US-Japan 150-Years Committee view this occasion as an important juncture. It is a time not only to recall the ebb and flow of our shared history and teach it to the next generation, but it is also a time to increase our resolve to deepen bilateral relations in the future.

I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all those who made this event possible, and extend a warm welcome to our guests. Thank you.

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