Misawa Mayor Shigeyoshi Suzuki passed away on May 1 at age 66. I was shocked to hear this, having met him in my previous capacity as director of the Status of U.S. Forces Agreement Division of the Foreign Ministry.
Suzuki had been mayor of Misawa for 20 years. He had worked closely with U.S. Air Base Misawa, especially with the U.S. Air Force 35th Fighter Wing. His willingness to work together constructively was very much appreciated by the U.S. side, illustrated by the fact that, in January, Gen. Paul V. Hester presented Mayor Suzuki the Air Force Exemplary Civilian Service Award.
Lt. Gen. Wright, commander of U.S. Forces in Japan, often spoke fondly of Mayor Suzuki. The mayor was specially invited to give a speech to all U.S. base commanders in Japan. This does not mean that Suzuki was always accommodating to the requests of U.S. forces. He expressed his views in a forthright way, but always sought constructive solutions.
An example of his innovative approach was the introduction of English classes to elementary schools in Misawa through the support of U.S. service members and their spouses. This was the first "Special Education District" involving U.S. forces in Japan. This could be a great model for other Japanese municipalities with U.S. bases.
Suzuki also worked hard to realize a program to allow local youths to attend U.S. universities on Misawa base. This became possible through the support of the U.S. side in working together with Suzuki.
The funeral on May 9 was attended by both Gen. Hester and Lt. Gen. Wright. Midori Matsushima, vice minister for foreign affairs, attended the city funeral May 19, and delivered a letter of appreciation from Foreign Minister Taro Aso.
We have lost a great leader who contributed in a significant way to the Japan-U.S. alliance. Many people, both in Japan and the United States, will miss him. His story demonstrates one example of the richness of the personal relations that support our alliance.