Atlanta will be the host for the 8th annual Japan-America Grassroots Summit in November. Organized by the John Manjiro-Whitfield Commemorative Center for International Exchange (CIE) in Tokyo, the first summit was held in 1991 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the rescue of fisherman Nakahama Manjiro (John Manjiro) by Captain William Whitfield, and the century and a half of Japanese-American friendship since that time. The Japan-America Grassroots Summit encourages cultural exchange and offers many opportunities to strengthen the relationship between Japanese and Americans from all walks of life.

Each year, the Summit has been held, alternatingly, in Japan or the United States. The first Summit was held in Kyoto, followed by Boston, Nagoya, Williamsburg, Kagoshima, Colorado Springs and Yamagata. And just like the seven previous Summits, this year’s in Atlanta will feature many opportunities for hosts and visitors alike to learn more about each other. There will be homestays for visiting Japanese and more than a dozen local exchange sessions on a wide variety of topics. These will include farming and organic agriculture, southern culture, small business development, performing and visual arts, changes in medical care, media and television and special programs for the hearing-impaired and visually-impaired. The sessions will offer participants a unique opportunity to share information concerning issues of mutual interest and to learn about the cultural contexts in which these issues take place. All of this is done in hopes of cultivating a deeper appreciation for one another.

The Summit’s highlights will also include opening and closing ceremonies, tours of important cultural and historical sites, sightseeing and shopping, and many opportunities to meet people from across the state of Georgia.

If you are interested in participating in the 1998 Summit in Atlanta, please let us know. Or, if you’re interested in serving as a volunteer, to help us host our Japanese guests, we would love to hear from you. It’s never too early to sign up!

For more information about the 1998 Japan-America Grassroots Summit, please call 404/876-5189 , email nichibei@atlantajapan.com or write:

Japan-America Grassroots Summit Atlanta ‘98

238 15th Street

Suite 10

Atlanta, Georgia 30309

Copyright 1998.  Contact nichibei@atlantajapan.com with any questions about this web site.