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4/2/2025
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General Assembly celebrates Japan Day
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 STATE HOUSE – Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa and Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy hosted a celebration of Japan Day Tuesday at the State House and introduced a resolution recognizing March 31 as Japan Day to honor the warm relationship between Rhode Island and Japan.
“We are very fortunate here in Rhode Island to have had a long and friendly relationship with Japan — one that, to this day, contributes significantly to the culture, economy and security of both Rhode Island and Japan. I am very proud to celebrate that relationship, and I hope that we will continue to strengthen it,” said Senator Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol), who is the first Japanese-American elected to the Rhode Island General Assembly.
Said Representative Kennedy (D-Dist. 38, Hopkinton, Westerly), “Rhode Island and Japan have a unique friendship that dates back to 1853 when Rhode Island’s own Commodore Matthew Perry led an expedition to Japan that resulted in the signing of the treaty that established official relations between Japan and the United States. Rhode Island should always remember and celebrate that historic achievement and the respectful and enriching connections that our nation and our state share with Japan.”
The event was timed to coincide with the 171st anniversary of the signing of U.S.-Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity on March 31, 1854. That treaty resulted from the first official diplomatic contact between the United States and Japan, which took place the year before, when Commodore Matthew Perry, born in South Kingstown, led an expedition of “Black Ships” to Japan under orders from President Millard Fillmore.
Today, Newport and the city of Shimoda, Japan, are sister cities and each celebrates that relationship with its own Black Ships festival in a nod to Commodore Perry’s expedition. The Naval War College in Newport and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force also work closely together to promote national security and regional stability through shared resources, strategies and commitments.
Both the House and the Senate welcomed Seiichiro Takahashi, the consul general of Japan in Boston, for the celebration, and passed resolutions (2025-S 0934, 2025-H 6150) honoring the state’s rich relationship with Japan and declaring March 31 each year as Japan Day.
The celebration included a reception featuring sushi and other authentic Japanese delicacies, some of which were prepared in Japan. In addition to Consul Takahashi, the event included remarks by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick), Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, Newport Mayor Charles M. Holder, Toray Plastics (America) CEO Christopher Roy (whose parent company is headquartered Japan), Naval War College Deputy Dean Robert S. Winneg, Commodore Matthew Perry descendant Matthew C. Perry and Steve Aveson, who serves as Honorary Consul in Bristol.
“The nation of Japan and the state of Rhode Island share many connections: A rich maritime heritage, which benefits our tourism and trade, and many cultural ties,” said Speaker Shekarchi. “Japan is also a wonderful trade partner to Rhode Island, with an estimated $219 million dollars in total exports of goods and services to Japan, and with multiple Japanese companies that have a presence in Rhode Island. We hope that Rhode Island’s relationship with Japan will continue to grow and flourish.”
Japan is the United States’ fourth largest trading partner, and for the last five years, Japan and the United States have each been the largest investor in each other’s economy.
IN PHOTO: From left, Sen. Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown), Rep. Susan R. Donovan (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth), Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy, Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa, Consul General Seiichiro Takahashi and Sen. Lori Urso (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) at a Japan Day reception at the State House Tuesday.
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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