Author:Author unknown, Issue: November 2000, Topic: Coffee hour

During Olympics weeks, most of us must have felt a sense of patriotism or nationalism to some extent. Didnot Japanese feel good about being Japanese at the moment of Ms. Naoko Takahashi finishing Marathon with the Gold medal? At the moment of 'Yawara-chan' beating the opponent and becoming the No.1 Judo athlete in the world? Every time new medals were added to the record, and every time Kimigayo, the national anthem of Japan, was played, didnot Japanese proudly and boldly say 'yes' to being Japanese?

In order to respect other people's cultures that are different from yours, you must know who you are first, said Mr. Carl Wakamoto, a 5th generation Japanese-American, whose grandfather formed the 442 regiment with all Japanese-American soldiers during the World War II. Hoping US-Japan relations remain good and healthy, he has organized the annual Japan-America Film Festival in LA. Last year while wearing a Godzilla costume rented from Toho film productions, he took a photo with the Mayor of the city, and major broadcasting networks and national and local newspapers reported the moment as, Godzilla bit the Mayor of Los Angeles!

Come and join the crowd at the monthly Coffee Hour at the Tsukuba Information Center on Wed., Nov. 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.

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