Photo Caption: Mr. Ideno, Director of the Shizuoka Prefecture Bureau of Tourism, Vice Admiral Handa of JSDF Yokosuka District, Rear Admiral Kelly, Chargé Donovan, Captain Montgomery, Commander of USN Destroyer Squadron 15, and Mr. Watanabe, executive director of America-Japan Society, open the festival with the ceremonial breaking of a sake barrel in Shimoda.

Shimoda, May 16-19 - Chargé d'affaires Joseph R. Donovan represented the American Embassy at Shimoda City’s 69th Annual Black Ship Festival.

This festival, which commemorates U.S. Navy Commodore Matthew Perry and his fleet of “black ships” that arrived in Shimoda in 1854, covers three days of festivities that include fireworks, a parade and other events that promote U.S.-Japan amity.

At the opening reception for the festival, Mr. Donovan praised the people of Shimoda for their work to enhance U.S.-Japan relations both through the Black Ship Festival and their strong sister-city relationship with Newport, Rhode Island that has lasted over 50 years.

Other prominent attendees from the American side included U.S. Navy, Japan Commander Rear Admiral James D. Kelly and U.S. Consulate Nagoya Principal Officer Daniel A. Rochman.