May 28 - In a May 27 White House press release, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate a number of individuals to key administration posts, including John V. Roos as Ambassador to Japan. The President said, "I am grateful that these distinguished Americans have agreed to help represent the United States and strengthen our partnerships abroad at this critical time for our nation and the world. I am confident they will advance American diplomacy as we work to meet the challenges of the 21st century."
[Brief bio of Mr. Roos]

May 28 - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met Roxana Saberi, a journalist recently imprisoned in Iran, in Washington on May 27. Ms. Saberi thanked the American people, President Obama, Secretary Clinton, the State Department, and others around the world for their support in pushing for her release, and said, "I'm very proud to be an American, just as I'm proud of my Japanese and Iranian heritage." [Video]

May 26 - Ambassador Patricia M. Haslach, U.S. Senior Official for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), in remarks May 25 at Aoyama Gakuin University, underlined the importance of the next two years for APEC, as Japan hosts in 2010 and the United States in 2011, stating, "Both economies see this as a unique opportunity for us to build momentum for regional economic integration and shape a strong economic agenda for the Asia-Pacific" one that would ensure long-term regional prosperity." Ambassador Haslach also participated in the May 26 Spring Session of the U.S.-Japan Bilateral Investment Working Group, which released a joint statement noting that the "powerful force" of investment is a "win win" situation for both countries and stressing continued commitment to opposing investment protectionism.

May 25 - The White House Office of the Press Secretary released a statement from President Obama on May 25 regarding North Korea. The statement noted that North Korea "will not find international acceptance unless it abandons its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery," and that the "danger posed by North Korea's threatening activities warrants action by the international community."

May 21 - Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States released a Joint Press Statement at a press conference at the Embassy today, calling upon Japan to accede to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, and urging Japan to implement measures to enable parents who are separated from their children to maintain contact with them and visit them. U.S. Embassy Charge d'Affaires James P. Zumwalt, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs for Overseas Citizen Services Michele Bond, French Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Christophe Penot, Embassy of Canada Minister and Deputy Head of Mission Donald Bobiash, British Embassy Deputy Head of Mission David Fitton, and Senior Policy Director for The International Center for Missing and Exploited Children Maura Harty briefed the media.

May 20 - The America Study Abroad Expo 2009, held May 16 in Tokyo, provided over 18,000 Japanese students, parents and members of the public a fun festival atmosphere to explore all aspects of studying in the United States. The Expo featured panel presentations on education, a college and university catalog fair, and American-style entertainment and food. Charge Jim Zumwalt spoke about his own study abroad experience in Japan; DJ and rap artist Verbal, an alumnus of Boston College, spoke about studying in the U.S.; and Hawaii native and former sumo champion Konishiki talked about intercultural communication.

Related links (in Japanese):

• Coverage of the event by TBS News
• Story about the event on the ALC website

May 18 - The Democracy Video Challenge Jury has selected 18 finalist videos - including one from Japan titled "Democracy and Obama City." Now it is time for you to decide the winners! Six video producers - one from each region of the world - will win an all-expense-paid trip to New York, Washington and Hollywood. Go to the Democracy Video Challenge YouTube site at www.youtube.com/ democracychallenge, click the voting tab and view the finalists. Voting ends on June 15. Vote today!

May 18 - The Department of State issued a statement on May 14 welcoming the Japanese Diet's May 13 ratification of the international agreement on the transfer of 8,000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam, which was signed by Secretary of State Clinton and Japanese Foreign Minister Nakasone in Tokyo on February 17. In the statement, Department Spokesman Ian Kelly noted that the action by the Diet is a "significant step towards the full implementation of the May 1, 2006 Realignment Roadmap." On May 13, Charge James P. Zumwalt also issued a statement welcoming the ratification.

May 14 - On May 16 in Akasaka Sacas, the U.S. Embassy is hosting "America Study Abroad Expo 2009" with free live entertainment, presentations on study in the United States, and an American college catalogue fair. The Expo also features American food booths in a "Cool America" campaign. As Charge d'Affaires James Zumwalt says in his video aisatsu encouraging students to attend the Expo, "See you soon!" You can also read the Charge's blog about his study abroad experience.

May 13 - Special Representative for North Korea Policy Stephen W. Bosworth made brief remarks to the media in Tokyo at the conclusion of his May 6-12 visit to the region for consultations on North Korea issues. He stated, "We are committed to dialogue, and we are obviously interested in returning to the negotiating table as soon as we can, but this is not a decision that depends on us. It also depends on the DPRK. So we've, I think, managed to confirm that we have a common view and a common sense of the road forward." [Video]

May 7 - President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden met with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the White House on May 6. In remarks to the press following their meeting, President Obama stated, "We meet today as three sovereign nations joined by a common goal: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their ability to operate in either country in the future."

• White House Blog: "Joined by a Common Goal"
• Joint Press Availability with Secretary of State Clinton at the State Department

May 5 - The State Department on May 4 issued the following statement by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton: "It is my pleasure to offer warm wishes to boys and girls in Japan on the May 5 occasion of Children's Day. On this holiday, Japanese families celebrate the joys of childhood and family life. Children are, indeed, a national treasure, and both the United States and Japan share a strong commitment to childhood health, safety, and education. It is a responsibility for all of us to work together to ensure the protection of children. It is our hope that one day children from all countries will be able to celebrate the carefree joys that children in Japan celebrate today."