Left: A personally autographed baseball for Amb. Kato from Cal Ripken, Jr. Right: Inside the emabssy’s tea house where Mrs Kato holds traditional tea ceremonies several times a year. The straw “tatami” mats, the hanging scroll and the minimalist “ikebana” flower arrangement are common trademarks of Japanese tea rooms

development, Kato added, “The governments of Japan and the United States need to cooperate, particularly in development of advanced technologies, such as space technologies, advanced medical treatment and those required in addressing environmental issues such as climate change.”    Like many diplomats, Kato is quick to drop an analogy. His favorite is equating his job to that of a gardener. “A garden doesn’t beautify itself,” he begins, “it needs constant care on a daily basis: watering, weeding and pruning. If we fail to do that, just a tiny bit, the garden can become brown, and the weeds start growing. That is what I have been basically doing for the past six years – watering, pruning and weed pulling.”    When I ask where China fits into the equation, he treads carefully, answering: “Between Japan and the United States, we share fundamental values. Based on these values, Japan and the United States are allies of each other. With China, on the other hand, Japan shares common interests. Japan and China can establish a mutually beneficial relationship based on common interests. For example, both countries share interests in the field of energy security. Oil is shipped from the Persian Gulf to Japan and East Asia. Therefore, Japan and China strongly share strategic interests to maintain security of the sea lanes.”    On relations with North Korea and the ongoing six-party talks, he is more open. Kato previously served as the Director-General of the Asian Affairs Bureau in Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs – he is particularly well-versed on the subject.         “We have made it clear to North Korea and the remaining members of the six-party talks, that Japan is ready to help North Korea financially as we helped South Korea a long time ago in 1965 with economic assistance. But this economic assistance will not start to flow into North Korea until we normalize our relations, and such normalization will not take place until nuclear issues, missile issues and abduction issues are resolved.” As of today, the Government of Japan has identified 17 Japanese citizens as victims of abduction by North Korea, five of whom returned to Japan. Despite Japan’s effort, however, there has still been no persuasive explanation from North Korea concerning the remaining abductees. At Ease in Washington    Having served as ambassador to Washington for the past six years (in addition to previous diplomatic assignments as a diplomat in the ’60s and ’80s), Kato has settled comfortably into life here.    “When I first started to work for the embassy as a junior official, there was almost nothing on the Arlington side of the Potomac; no shopping centers or department stores nearby,” he recalls.    These days, the couple relax by getting outside, strolling, and bird watching. “In our own backyard, many birds come to our feeder,” Mrs. Kato says, “we have Osprey and we have some Blue Heron that come for our Koi [fish]. We also like to go out to the Patuxent River area when we can.”    Another aspect of American life that the couple has taken to is philanthropy. “It always amazes me the number of organizations we have been asked to help,” Mrs. Kato says, adding, “It’s different than in Japan. Here you have so many groups working on collecting funds for so many meaningful causes. We cannot do everything but we try to accommodate as much as possible. I concentrate on children and medical issues, such as diabetes for children.”    The Ambassador’s charitable focus is on U.S. veterans. He explains: “We like to express our gratitude to service people. It is something that I started in 2001 – to have a reception for wounded soldiers from places like Iraq and Afghanistan. We invite them and their families to our garden for a barbeque. It’s just a small thing we can do for them.”    In the immediate future, the Katos will be enjoying the unprecedented “Japan! Culture + Hyperculture” two-week event at the Kennedy Center. The exhibition – which runs from Feb. 7 to Feb. 17 – includes a variety of Japanese art forms from plays, music, animae, and manga to a robotics display entitled “Robotopia Rising,” the last of which Amb. Kato finds particularly exciting.    “I’m intrigued by Japanese robotics,” he says, “three years ago at the lantern lighting ceremony for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, it was a very cold day. Most of the presenters cut their speeches short. I, instead, had a robot from Sony speak for me.” He finishes with smile, “It was much more popular than if I would have spoken.”    What can’t a robot replicate? Kato’s charm and history of strong relations under his watch.