U.S. APEC Ambassador Michael Michalak and Consul General Schaefer Joint Call on Miyagi Governor Yoshihiro Murai

October 2, 2006 - Sendai

U.S. APEC Ambassador Michael Michalak visited Japan the first week of October for discussions on the future of the U.S.-Japan bilateral investment initiative. During his visit, Ambassador Michalak took time to travel to Sendai to address the first of two back-to back "Invest Japan" business seminars co-sponsored by METI, JETRO and the U.S. Embassy. Consul General Schaefer and 130 business leaders attended the seminar held for the first time in Sendai. Following keynote speeches by Mr. Charles Lake, President, American Chamber of Commerce Japan and Ambassador Michalak, ten information technology-related U.S. firms and 30 Tohoku firms participated in business meetings. On behalf of the U.S. delegation, Consul General Schaefer gave remarks at a reception, which highlighted the joint initiative to re-issue U.S. visas at American Consulate General Sapporo that would reduce travel time and expenses for prospective visitors to the U.S. who live in Northern Japan.

The seminars, aimed at increasing foreign investment in Japan's regions, brought together ten small and medium- sized U.S. companies in emerging fields of mobile telephony and communication, industrial quality control, Voice over Internet Protocol, software design, network security and alternative energy with potential Japanese partners. One U.S. private sector participant commented after the program they found it to be a "very fruitful, well coordinated and professionally executed trade mission."

While in the region, Consul General Schaefer took the opportunity to make office calls on post contacts including Miyagi Governor Yoshihiro Murai and Sendai Mayor Katsuhiko Umehara. She also visited the JGSDF Ohjojibara Training Ground where Okinawa Based Marines conduct annual live-artillery exercises.

On October 3, Kahoku Shimpo Publishing CO. gave inside-page play about the U.S. - Japan Investment Initiative seminar as "promoting expansion of business: business talks with U.S. companies." The following day the newspaper carried a report with a photo about the courtesy call of Consul General Schaefer on Sendai Mayor Katsuhiko UMEHARA. The article stated that the Consul General attended a U.S. - Japan Investment Initiative seminar in Sendai on October 2, and quoted her as saying, "The business environment in Sendai seems well developed and has a good reputation among U.S. enterprises."

	Consul General Marrie Y. Schaefer (First One from Right) and U.S. Embassy Tokyo Economic Counselor Daniel Fantozzi (Seated to Her Right) Listen to the Keynote Speeches with Other Participants
	Consul General Marrie Y. Schaefer Makes Remarks at the Welcome Cocktail Reception in the Sendai City Museum

At the Welcome Reception, Consul General Schaefer Joins Sendai Mayor Umehara in Sendai's Traditional "Sparrow Dance"