SENATOR MAZIE K. HIRONO HONORS MEMORY OF DANIEL K. INOUYE, HOSTS GRAND TEA MASTER OF JAPAN TO PERFORM CENTURIES-OLD TEA CEREMONY FOR WORLD PEACE

Washington, D.C. -- Senator Mazie K. Hirono hosted Dr. Genshitsu Sen, the fifteenth generation Urasenke Grand Tea Master of Japan, as he performed a centuries-old tea ceremony for world peace. Senator Inouye had intended to host the ceremony before he passed away late last year, and today’s event honored the late Senator.

“Nothing could be more important than the U.S. Japan relationship,” Senator Hirono said at the ceremony. “It is this friendship and alliance that has produced peace in the Asia-Pacific region, security and economic vitality. I want to thank all of you who are here to participate and to also let you know that Senator Inouye was committed to strengthening that relationship. All of us build on his emphasis.”

In attendance was Senator Patrick Leahy – the Senate’s President Pro Tempore – Japanese Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae, former Hawaii Governor George Ariyoshi and his wife, former First Lady Jean Ariyoshi, and Irene Hirano Inouye, widow to the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye. The ceremony underscored the deep alliance between Japan and the United States.

The ceremony was held in the historic Kennedy Caucus Room, the location where Senator Inouye chaired hearings on the Iran-Contra scandal in the 1980s.

Video from the event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ryb-xkE0FNc&feature=youtu.be