A50 PROJECT REPORT / A50 Committee Mail


History
The A50 initiative was conceived by Hirotsugu Iikubo, a Japanese business executive, following a conversation with his dear friend Robert Orr, former Governor of Indiana and former Ambassador to Singapore. Mr. Iikubo was touched by Mr. Orr's sense of gratitude toward a Japanese automobile manufacturer that had come to the aid of an Indiana community during a period of high unemployment. It dawned upon Mr. Iikubo that the Japanese people had never expressed in a publicly visible way their appreciation for the postwar consideration of the American people toward Japan, and the many U.S. programs that had been of such great benefit to Japan. He realized that something had to be done to show Japanese gratitude for the past and further strengthen the partnership that has developed over the decades since the war.
   Since 1994, concerned citizens from all sectors of Japanese society have been meeting to make this Japanese initiative a reality. Thus, several A50 projects are now underway, and some are expected to continue into the future, fur beyond the 50th Anniversary of the Signing of the Peace Treaty.
   In May of 1998, the A50 Executive Committee, chaired by Yoshio Okawara, former Ambassador to the United States, was organized. This was followed by the establishment of several implementing committees, all chaired and staffed by volunteers.
   It is hoped that this initiative will trigger continuing new projects and that the youth of both nations will find their way to contribute for the well being of our global society.


Contact:A50 Follow-up Office      c/o Decision Systems,Inc.
6-8-9,Akasaka,Minato-ku,Tokyo Japan 107-0052 Tel. 813-3589-0321 		Mail