Professor Ichiro Fujisaki (on the left) coordinated the program in such a way that students can experience one-to-one talk with the Ambassador.
We welcomed US Ambassador to Japan John V. Roos to join Discuss with Ambassadors on April 17. Professor Ichiro Fujisaki, Distinguished Visiting Professor at Sophia University, is a coordinator of this program designed to create free and spontaneous students’ participation in the Q & A style. The aim of this program is to encourage students to exchange opinions with the guest ambassadors on a broad range of topics, i.e., Ambassador’s perception of Japan, foreign policy issues such as bilateral relationship, or Ambassador’s message to students.
During the years since 2009 when he arrived in Japan as the US Ambassador, Dr. Roos has played a role of increasing consequence in maintaining stronger relationship between the United States and Japan. He was the first US Ambassador to Japan to attend the Peace Memorial Ceremonies in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. His dedication to provide relief to the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 has received unlimited respect by the Japanese. His emphasis on “people-to-people connection” has taken him to all 47 of Japan’s prefectures where he met and talked to people of all walks of life, especially young people. Ambassador Roos is well known for his efforts to build an active dialogue with young people. He puts particular importance on young people by reaching out to them and hearing what is in their minds.
In his opening address, Ambassador Roos stated that the United States and Japan should work together as allies on global issues by bringing our attention to the main purpose of US-Japanese Alliance, the North Korean denuclearization, the Middle eastern crisis, and climate changes. Based on his belief that everything depends on “young people’s connection,” he emphasized that the future of US-Japanese relations too depends on the young generation. Getting to know each other and learning to appreciate each other is the only way to strengthen the bonds between young people in the US and Japan.
The questions raised by students were arguably the most important issues of their time, e.g., military bases in Okinawa, economic issues, the North Korean problem, Ambassador’s impression of Japanese students, and what he expects of Japan.
Ambassador Roos shared his opinion freely and candidly with each student.
A student asking for an autograph
Despite his tight schedule, Ambassador Roos still made time to invite each student onto the stage for a handshake or photo taking after the Q & A was over.
