Important moments in
japanese history
in new york
1860 - Today
Important moments in
japanese history
in new york
1860 - Today
Important moments in
japanese history
in new york
1860 - Today
Important moments in
japanese history
in new york
1860 - Today
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News &
Events

News & Events

Recording: “Meiji Modern: What Women’s Education Means Then and Now” Panel Discussion

Upcoming: “Quakers and Japan” – Thursday, March 23, 2023 Panel Discussion Event and Special Digital Exhibit Opening

Takeshi Furumoto, Board member of Japan History Council of New York, and Fred Korematsu Day resolution

HISTORY TIMELINE

1860

Man-en Gannen Official Envoy of Japan to the U.S.

Led by Tokugawa Shogunate Ambassador Masaoki Shinmi as the first official Japanese delegation to the U.S. The envoy visited New York on June 16th, 1860 which was the beginning of a fruitful friendship between Japan and New York.

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1867

First Japanese Student in the region

Taro Kusakabe, a young samurai from Fukui, Japan, began studying at Rutgers College in New Jersey in 1867 and was the first Japanese to receive a degree from an American college. He was followed by a great number of Japanese students who later contributed greatly to the modernization of Japan during the Meiji era.

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1872

Iwakura Mission

This Japanese diplomatic mission was dispatched by the newly-established Meiji government to gather information on the U.S. systems of government, education and technology. They arrived at New York in July of 1872. Findings from this 18-month long expedition led to the modernization of Japan.

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1872

Japanese Consulate in New York

The Consulate of Japan in New York was established in 1872, with Tetsunosuke Tomita as the first Vice-Consul. He later became Governor of the Bank of Japan and Governor of Tokyo.

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1876

First Japanese Businesspeople in New York

Six young men – Momotaro Sato, Ryoichiro Arai, Toyo Morimura, Rinzaburo Masuda, Chushichi Date, and Toichiro Suzuki – came to the United States with great ambitions and became pioneers in promoting U.S.-Japan trade. They were known as the “Oceanic Group,” named after the steamship on which they traveled.

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1905

The Nippon Club

The Nippon Club was established in New York in 1905 by Dr. Jokichi Takamine, a famous chemist, to tighten the unity of the Japanese community and develop better relationship with the American people. It is the only Japanese social club in the U.S.

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1907

JAANY

In 1907, the Japanese American Association in New York (JAANY) was established as the Japanese Mutual Aid Society by Dr. Toyohiko Takami, a prominent physician, to provide social services and aid to the Japanese and Japanese American community.

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1907

Japan Society

On May 19, 1907, Japan Society was formally established at a luncheon held in honor of General Baron Tamemoto Kuroki, a hero of the Russo-Japanese War. The Society was formed by a group of prominent New York business and professional men, most with business ties to Japan, primarily through banking, finance and trade in silk. They were joined by some of the leading Japanese residents of the city, who were eager for stronger ties between the two countries.

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1932

JCCI

The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New York (JCCI) was established in 1932 by fourteen prominent Japanese businesspeople to promote friendship and economic relations between the U.S. and Japan.

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1932

Sister city relationship between Tokyo and the New York City

On February 29, 1960, Tokyo Metropolitan and the New York City established a sister city relationship. Since then, they have deepened friendship, goodwill and mutual understanding through such activities as the mutual visits of Governors and Mayors, exchanges of high school and university students as well as teachers and educational officials, continuous mission interchange and exchange of commemorative items.

New
Artifacts

New Artifacts

SPONSORS

Consulate General of Japan in New York
Daiwa Capital Markets America, Inc.
Deloitte LLP
DLI North America, Inc.
ENEOS Americas, Inc.
IHI Americas, Inc.
Itochu International Inc.
ITOEN (North America), Inc.
JA Mitsui Leasing Capital Corporation
J.C.C. Fund
KDDI America Inc.
KPMG LLP
Marubeni America Corporation
Mitsubishi Corporation Americas
Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings America
Mitsubishi Estate New York, Inc.
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical America, Inc.
Mitsubishi HC Capital (USA), Inc.
Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc.
Mitsui Chemicals America, Inc.
Mitsui Sumitomo Marine Management (U.S.A.), Inc.
Mizuho Americas
MUFG Bank Ltd.
Nippon Life Insurance Company
Nomura America Foundation
NTT America
NYK Group Americas, Inc.
ORIX Corporation USA
SMBC Global Foundation, Inc.
Sojitz Corp. of America
Sumitomo Corporation of Americas Foundation
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited
Tokio Marine America

About us

Every person and entity has a story to tell. Since the first Japanese official delegation set foot in New York in 1860, thousands of Japanese and Japanese Americans have resided in New York, and have had an impact on a wide array of fields ranging from business to public service to art. Many became U.S. citizens, and as Japanese Americans, contributed greatly to U.S.-Japan relations by building bridges between the U.S. and Japan. While some are well-known for such contributions to history, others are lesser-known, or have passed away without being recognized. View More