《奥巴马开学演讲稿2》.doc

The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release November 14, 2009 Remarks by President Barack Obama at Suntory Hall Suntory Hall, Tokyo, Japan Presidents Speech translated into ChinesePresidents Speech translated into IndonesianPresidents Speech translated into JapanesePresidents Speech translated into Korean 10:12 A.M. JST PRESIDENT OBAMA:? Thank you so much.? Arigatou.? Thank you very much.? (Applause.)? Good morning.? It is a great honor to be in Tokyo -- the first stop on my first visit to Asia as President of the United States.? (Applause.)? Thank you.? It is good to be among so many of you -- Japanese and I see a few Americans here? -- (applause) -- who work every day to strengthen the bonds between our two countries, including my longtime friend and our new ambassador to Japan, John Roos.? (Applause.)?It is wonderful to be back in Japan.? Some of you may be aware that when I was a young boy, my mother brought me to Kamakura, where I looked up at that centuries-old symbol of peace and tranquility -- the great bronze Amida Buddha.? And as a child, I was more focused on the matcha ice cream.? (Laughter.)? And I want to thank Prime Minister Hatoyama for sharing some of those memories with more ice cream last night at dinner.? (Laughter and applause.)? Thank you very much.? But I have never forgotten the warmth and the hospitality that the Japanese people showed a young American far from home. And I feel that same spirit on this visit:? In the gracious welcome of Prime Minister Hatoyama.? In the extraordinary honor of the meeting with Their Imperial Majesties, the Emperor and Empress, on the 20th anniversary of his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne.? In the hospitality shown by the Japanese people.? And of course, I could not come here without sending my greetings and gratitude to the citizens of Obama, Japan.? (Applause.) Now, I am beginning my journey here for a simple reason.? Since taking office, I have worked to renew American l