Four TUJ students were invited to a reception organized by the U.S.-Japan Council in November and met one of the America’s most famous Japanese-Americans, the Honorable Norman Mineta. The event was held in conjunction with Tokyo Film Premiere – An American Story: Norman Mineta and His Legacy.
Mineta’s family was interned in the U.S. during WWII, and he went on to become a U.S. congressman (Dem), Secretary of Commerce under President Clinton, and Secretary of Transportation under President George W. Bush.
“Until I met Norman Mineta, I was not aware of how renowned he was,” recalled Adio Alexander, a sophomore international business studies major. “He was so incredibly welcoming, attentive and down-to-earth; it was like he’d always known us. To be received so well by someone as famous as him was surprising,” she said.
The students met Mineta at the event through an invitation by Mark Davidson from Amway International and the TUJ Board of Overseers.
Lily Boland, a senior political science and international affairs double major, said “I am very grateful to have been invited. The reception was a great networking opportunity and a chance to meet the inspiring Mr. Mineta.”
Also attending were Bilaal Ukishima, a senior in economics, and Reina Tanizaki, a senior double majoring in economics and international affairs.