WASHINGTON--Japan's Ambassador to the U.S., Ichiro Fujisaki hits Chicago on Sunday for his first official visit to the city. He's coming to deliver a speech Monday to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
(photo, left, by Lynn Sweet)
I chatted with Fujisaki on Saturday at a barbeque the Ambassador to Japan hosts each year at the ambassador's residence in northwest Washington. Fujisaki told me his speech will touch on Iran, North Korea and the economy. The title of his speech is "Challenges facing the U.S. and Japan in the coming years," and it will be delivered at a lunch gathering at The Fairmont Chicago.
Fujisaki flies to Chicago Sunday with his wife, Yoriko Fujisaki. Former White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers, back home in Chicago, will host a dinner for him on Sunday night, the ambassador told me. I asked him what he wanted to see in Chicago and he told me he is going to take a tour of historic Frank Lloyd Wright homes in the area. He also has a meeting planned with Gov. Quinn.
Background, from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs: "His Excellency Ichiro Fujisaki was named Ambassador of Japan to the United States in June 2008. Prior to Ambassador Fujisaki's posting, he served in various high-level diplomatic positions for Japan, including Permanent Representative of Japan to the International Organizations in Geneva, with the rank of Ambassador; Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs; Director General of the Bureau for North American Affairs; and Political Minister for the Embassy of Japan to the United States."
Lynn Sweet is a columnist and the Washington Bureau Chief for the 
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Dear Ambassador Fujisaki,
I am writing from Ireland. Last night I watched a documentary called The Cove made by Louis Psihovos and it deeply distressed me. Have you seen it?
If you havent you should watch.
Im not going to bore you with a long drawn out message, although I could write an essay on this matter. However I want you to know that I think you should approach this matter. I do not wish any human or animal harm, however the humans that are involved in this cover up of illegal dolphin slaughter are the dregs of society. They are evil. I no longer have any respect for Japan, Japanese goverment, dolphin or whale aquariums, or the people of this little town where this is happening. Nor anyone who knows anything about it and is allowing it to happen.
Im not an extremist in any subject but this has broken my heart.
Please do something. Please look into it. Please.
Kind Regards
Joanne ODonnell