U.S. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi have agreed to launch a Diplomatic Exchange Program that assigns diplomats from each country to work in the Foreign Affairs department of the other beginning in 2005. This annual diplomatic exchange, the first of its kind in Asia, symbolizes the strength of the U.S.-Japan relationship, which marks its 150th Anniversary this year.
Exchanging diplomats on a regular basis will deepen our two nations mutual understanding. It will also build lasting relationships between diplomats serving in Washington and Tokyo who will come to know the inner workings of each nation's government and society.
United States Ambassador to Japan Howard H. Baker, Jr. and Japanese Ambassador to the United States Ryozo Kato were instrumental in creating the exchange program that will further deepen and improve this most important bilateral relationship.
2004/733