CASTRO TO HOST JAPANESE AMBASSADOR IN SAN ANTONIO
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), founding co-chair of the U.S.-Japan Caucus and member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees, today announced that Japan’s Ambassador to the United States, Kenichiro Sasae, will visit San Antonio next week on Friday, February 19.
“It will be an honor to host Ambassador Sasae in my home city next week. San Antonio and Japan share strong economic ties, and we have a longstanding cultural bond through our Sister City relationship with Kumamoto,” said Rep. Castro, who this past August visited Tokyo and met with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. “As co-chair of the U.S.-Japan Caucus, I have had the opportunity to engage with the Ambassador on a number of occasions. He is a superb representative for his nation, and his work in the United States strengthens the strategic partnership our nations enjoy. I look forward to welcoming him to San Antonio and highlighting our city’s special connections to Japan.”
During the Ambassador’s visit to San Antonio, he and the Congressman will attend a lunch with local business, government, and academic leaders. Ambassador Sasae and Rep. Castro will then visit Tafolla Middle School (the middle school Congressman Castro attended), where they will visit with students who are learning Japanese. The students plan to give a special presentation to share what they are learning about Japan.
“I have heard a great deal about San Antonio from Rep. Castro, and I look forward to making my first trip there,” said Ambassador Sasae. “It will be a pleasure to engage with the San Antonio community and visit with local students who represent the future of our two countries’ partnership. I appreciate Congressman Castro’s leadership on the U.S.-Japan Caucus and his commitment to our nations’ continued collaboration and mutual prosperity.”
While the Ambassador’s lunch will be closed to press, members of the media are welcome to attend the visit to Tafolla Middle School. Details for that visit are included below.
WHO: Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20)
Japan’s Ambassador to the United States, Kenichiro Sasae
WHAT: Visit to a class of middle school students learning Japanese who will give a special presentation on their studies to the Ambassador and Congressman.
DATE: Friday, February 19, 2016
TIME: 1:30pm – 2:15pm CT
LOCATION: Tafolla Middle School
1303 W César E Chávez Blvd
San Antonio, TX 78207
RSVP: Please RSVP to Erin Hatch at Erin.Hatch@mail.house.gov
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