Tuesday, August 24 to Monday, August 30, 2010

The America-Japan Grassroots Summit is an annual large-scale meeting of Japanese and American citizens, held alternately in Japan and America. The summit aims to strengthen the peaceful relationship between Japan and America by fostering grassroots friendships.

The San Francisco Bay Area was chosen as this year’s host region in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the first Japanese naval ship’s arrival, the Kanrin Maru, in the San Francisco Bay. Grassroots Summits have been held in America and Japan for the past 19 years. Including host participants, more than 30,000 people have experienced this grassroots exchange.

We invite you to join the festivities! There are several ways to participate:

1. Attend the Opening Ceremony, “A Celebration of Friendship”

This year, for the first time in the history of the summit, the descendants of John Manjiro, Captain Whitfield, Commodore Matthew Perry and the 18th Head of the Tokugawa Shogunate family will participate together in the opening ceremony. We will have the rare opportunity to hear stories from the descendants of the individuals who played a significant role in the opening of Japan's doors to the United States. Help us acknowledge the history, people, sister city and friendship ties and projects bridging US-Japan relations as well as enjoy some very special entertainment honoring the occasion.

Time:
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
4:30 pm Reception
5:30 to 7:00 pm Program

Location:
The Westin St. Francis
335 Powell Street
San Francisco, CA
[Map]

Cost:
$20 per person
$10 per person for students

To purchase tickets for the Opening Ceremony, please click here.


2. Host a Japanese Delegate

Due to the popularity of this year’s event, the America-Japan Grassroots Summit is seeking additional host families who are committed to hosting one or two Japanese Delegates for 3 days during the Summit (August 26, 27, & 28).

For more information on how to be a host, please contact Sydney Nakamura, Host Cities Coordinator, at 415-518-0612 or sydneynakamura@sbcglobal.net, or visit the Summit website.


3. Attend the San Francisco Giant’s Japanese Heritage Night

Join the fun as the San Francisco Giants celebrate Japanese Heritage Night on Tuesday, August 24, as the Giants battle the Cincinnati Reds at AT&T Park.

Meet honored visitor Masanori Murakami, the first Japanese player to play in the Major Leagues in the US for the San Francisco Giants. Pre-game entertainment will feature the dancers of San Francisco’s FBC Storm and Sunset Academy of Dance, as well as the Yuko Takahashi Dance Company from Japan.

This special evening is generously sponsored by Kikkoman.

Time:
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
6:00 pm Pre-game Program
7:15 pm Game Time

Location:
AT&T Park
24 Willie Mays Plaza
San Francisco, CA
[Map]

Cost:
$20 ticket package (includes special edition Masanori Murakami t-shirt)

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the Giant’s website or call 415-972-2233.

The 20th America-Japan Grassroots Summit 2010 San Francisco Bay Area is presented in cooperation with the Consulate General of Japan, Mayor’s Office of Protocol, Mayor’s Office of Trade and Commerce, City and County of San Francisco and Sister Cities International, Northern California Chapter, with support from the 150th Anniversary Kanrin Maru Celebration Committee, Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, Japan Society of Northern California, Japan Benevolent Society (Jikeikai), Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California, and the San Francisco Giants.

Summit Advisors include Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO Viz Pictures; Robert Inouye; Greg Marutani, JACL; Tamon Norimoto; Tsuyoshi Taira, Tazan International; Jeffrey Kimoto, NikkeiWest/OMC; and Jan Yanehiro, Director of the School of Multimedia Communications: Academy of Art College.