February 2021 Feb. 19th, Masayo Ishigure: LIVE on Facebook! The sounds of traditional Japan are returning to Friday Night Live! Don't miss renowned koto and jiuta shamisen player Masayo Ishigure streamed live from the Ambassador’s Residence in New York City. The stream starts at 5PM EST on Friday, February 19th. Official Website: MasayoIshigure.com RSVP Here Wall Street Journal on Japan's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic  AI is on duty in the fight against COVID-19. Japanese research institutions and companies have redirected their R&D resources to find innovative, science-driven methods to study and deal with COVID-19 in Japan and around the world. Click here for more about the groundbreaking tech combating COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented challenges for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics; therefore, Japanese organizers are implementing increased safety measures to ensure the safety of athletes and others connected to the Summer Games. In Japan, cities also have worked diligently to ensure they are ready to welcome guests once travel becomes possible. Click here to find out how Japan is preparing for the Summer Games… and beyond.  Articles Olympian Mikako Kotani on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Mikako Kotani, Sports Director of the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) and two – time Olympic bronze medalist, talks about Japan’s measures to improve the safety of sporting events, the power of sports and the inspiration the Summer Games are to the global community. Watch Here Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties  Happy Fred Korematsu Day — January 30th is an important day to remember and honor Mr. Fred Korematsu, a Japanese American hero who fought to defend civil rights, civil liberties and social justice. Ambassador Yamanouchi delivered a speech for the 2nd Anniversary of the Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties in Fort Lee, NJ. Watch Here Celebrating Black History Month in Japan For Black History Month, we join those of you celebrating the contributions and achievements of African Americans who helped shape U.S. history and culture. The past is filled with trailblazing heroes like Shirley Chisholm and Thurgood Marshall, while the present allows us to witness history unfold before our eyes with the election of the first Black U.S. President and Vice President. We honor the memory of those who devoted their lives to making a difference, like the late Congressman John Lewis and look forward to a bright future with history makers like Amanda Gorman. The strength of American culture continues to be its ability to incorporate, embrace and benefit from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Did you know that there are #BlackHistoryMonth celebrations in Japan as well? Official JET Program US Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) Michael Frazier, a recipient of the US JETA JET Microgrant Initiative funded by the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, has organized Black History month programs in his placement in Ishikawa Prefecture since 2019. Last year’s “Hokuriku Black History Month Festival” included a French Caribbean cooking class, Selma movie screening, and workshop discussions. We can't wait to see what's planned for this year!  Event Calendar   Japan Info is a publication distributed to subscribers, friends, and those who have exchanged business cards with members of the Consulate General of Japan in New York. If you would no longer like to receive Japan Info, please see the "opt out" option below. The opinions and materials contained herein do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the Government of Japan.

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