Nagoya, July 4 - Consulate Nagoya hosted the 231st Independence Day reception at the Nagoya Hilton with a gorgeous and massive installation of red, white and blue flowers courtesy of Mr. Sankaku Ogawa, a leading local ikebana master. Consulate Principal Officer Daniel Rochman spoke to welcome guests and to open the event, followed by remarks by Aichi Prefecture Governor Masaaki Kanda and Nagoya Mayor Takehisa Matsubara. Chairman of the Aichi Japan-American Society and Brother Industries Chairman Yoshihiro Yasui toasted the United States and saluted the deeply rooted friendship between Japan and the United States.

After the singing of the U.S. and Japanese national anthems by award-winning singers from the Japan Academy of Chamber Music, about 325 guests from business, government, academia, media, the arts and the sporting world enjoyed authentic American cuisine, including American beef, sausage, seafoods, and fruit donated by American producers. This year, again, many American firms generously supported the celebration through financial and in-kind contributions.