Consulate-General of Japan in New York
在ニューヨーク日本国総領事館

On January 19th, New York Public Radio (WNYC) held an on-stage live program hosted by Mr. Eddie Robinson at its Greene Space studio in New York City. From the Consulate, Deputy Chief of Mission Yasuhisa Kawamura took part as a panelist alongside Prof. Ian Buruma (author, political scientist, professor at Bard College), Mr. Roland Kelts (author, former-JET), Ms. Akiko Yano (singer, pianist) and Ms. Keiko Matsui (jazz pianist). More than 120 audience members, mostly local New Yorkers, gathered and participated in the panel discussion by raising questions on topics including Japan's future energy policy. The audience enjoyed sampling the Japanese sake and sushi that was served before the broadcasting.

In the panel discussion, Mr. Kawamura expressed appreciation for the heartfelt messages and generous supports from Americans and New Yorkers after the March 11th earthquake and tsunami. He also emphasized that global supply-chains have returned to their pre-disaster levels, and radiation levels in Tokyo have returned to normal.

Throughout the discussion, all the panelists showed admiration for the resilience shown by the Japanese people. Prof. Buruma pointed out that the earthquake has in fact changed how foreign media perceive Japan, as more emphasis is now put on positive aspects of Japan such as the aforementioned point on resilience. Mr. Kelts explained that the sense of community that was seen amongst the Japanese people after the earthquake had its roots in the long history of Japan. Mr. Kawamura called for more American people to visit Japan and see the country now that it has recovered. From the audience side, questions were posed in regards to Japan's economic prospects and Japan's future energy policy, and the panel discussion ended with much applause.

• 
• 

• 
•