On Wednesday, February 11, the Japan America Society hosted two events as part of the Japan Update program. An audience of more than 80 guests gathered for a luncheon at the Ritz Carlton to hear Ambassador Ira Shapiro’s thoughts on the current state of US-Japan relations. Ambassador Shapiro’s lively remarks focused on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks and their importance to the two allies, the region, and the globe. There were several questions from the engaged audience, many concerning the role and reaction of China to the TPP talks. It was an interesting talk over a delicious lunch of Japanese vegetables and salmon teriyaki.
Quite a crowd also came later that evening to hear Ambassador Shapiro, joined by Mr. Masami Doi (former General Manager of Toyota), Dr. Ulrike Schaede (Professor of Japanese Business, University of California-San Diego), and Mr. Brian Josephson (retired Sr. Vice President, Rawlings Sports) speak about the Japanese economy and international business relationships. Chef de Art provided a delicious buffet afterwards.
