Society members, City and State officials, and national representatives filled the ballroom of the Detroit Athletic Club on June 3rd 2025 to celebrate 35 years of Japan-US friendship and auto industry collaboration.

The occasion centered on the significant Detroit and Michigan links to Japan, some that date back to the previous century.

Detroit Deputy Mayor Melia Howard acknowledged the 65th Anniversary of the Detroit-Toyota Sister City Agreement. Consul General ‘Jimmy’ Kishimori said that a succession of 14 Consuls General of Japan had been supporting Japan-US relations in Detroit over 32 years and that Michigan and Shiga have been sister states for 57 years. Canadian Consul General Colin Bird, emphasized the importance of the solidity of Canada-US-Japan relations for the world.

Three institutions at the very founding of local relations with Japan were inducted into the Society’s newly formed ‘Affiliates’ level of membership: The University of Michigan, The Charles Lang Freer House, Wayne State University, and Cranbrook Educational Community.

Cranbrook’s Greg Wittkopp and Kevin Adkisson delivered fascinating illustrated presentations linking Detroit architect Albert Kahn to the Detroit Athletic Club, Henry Ford’s automotive plants, Eiji Toyoda, and to the Cranbrook House where landscape architect Sadafumi Uchiyama is revitalizing a 120 year-old Japanese Pond-Style Strolling Garden.

Thanks to AISIN and the Detroit Regional Chamber and MichAuto for the generous sponsorships!