The “Japan Week LA” special event series was designed to heighten public awareness between the United States and Japan. There were a diverse series of performances exhibits, demonstrations, ceremonies and topical public affair discussions.
During this time the United States and Japan were engaged in a vicious trade war. The U.S and Japan were becoming increasingly interdependent. At the time both countries needed to learn how to talk to each other.
Americans view the Japanese with a certain resentment because they look at Japan through commodities, not personalities.”
Taizo Watanabe – Consul general of japan to los angeles (1987)
This poster by Ikko Tanaka helped launch week.