NY State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda talks Japan Parade 2023

New York State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda spoke about NYC’s upcoming Japan Parade 2023 and his love of Japan during a press preview event.

Senator Sepúlveda anticipates Japan Parade to eventually grow as large as NY’s Puerto Rican Day Parade in attendance numbers.

Pictured from left to right: Kumiko Yoshii (Japan Parade Executive Producer), Daisuke Ugaeri (Japan Day Chairman of the Board of Directors), Mikio Mori (Ambassador, Consul-General of Consulate General of Japan, New York), Luis R. Sepúlveda (New York State Senator – 32nd Senate District), Gale A. Brewer (Upper West Side Council Member – District 6). Photo Credit: Nir Regev – The Natural Aristocrat®.

SENATOR LUIS R. SEPÚLVEDA: I’ve had the honor of visiting Japan on two delegation trips in 2016 and 2019. And the experience that I had was something that I will remember for the rest of my life.

The hospitality, the kindness of the people is something that not only had an impact on me… But on my colleagues when they went with me to Japan. We know about the international relations, we know about investment, we know about the cultural exchanges, and that’s extremely important.

But I love Japan so much, that I’m going to ask Ambassador Mori to allow me to move over there when I retire from the Senate.

(Turns to Ambassador Mori) So we’ll start working on that shortly! (laughs) But really, let me tell you the importance we know about last year’s parade and the numbers.

You know, my family comes from Puerto Rico and they had their first Puerto Rican Day Parade in 1958 with similar numbers. Today over a million people watch the parade and over a hundred thousand people have participated.

I have no doubt that you’re going to have the same numbers eventually with this parade!

Now, at a macro level, let me tell what’s happened with my relationship with the Japanese government and the Ambassador (Mikio Mori) of this very same residence.

I represent the poorest Senate district in the entire state, probably in the entire country. Kids in my schools don’t have a lot of the benefits– Certainly, they don’t have the wealth to get the kind of education that kids in wealthier communities receive in the state.

I met some executives from a technology company from Japan. We started a process where we’re going to see if they’re willing to fund a STEM program for the kids in the poorest schools that I represent. And for that I will be eternally grateful.

(Turns to Ambassador Mori) You have friends here. I’ll continue to do the delegation trips and don’t forget to invite me! (laughs)

But certainly in the Senate and when I was in the Assembly, the friendship that we have with Japan, with the Japanese Government, with the Ambassador and Consul-General… Who today is the same person, but certainly others that we’ve met in the past, is something that will never, ever cease.

And I hope that we can continue to build on this and build relationships because Japan is very important to us here in New York, and in this country. Thank you!

– Learn more about New York State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda at NYSenate.Gov. Senator Sepúlveda represents the 32nd Senate District, which includes parts of the Bronx. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

– You can also watch NY State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda’s Japan Parade speech on YouTube. Be sure to comment there as well and let your voice be heard!

– Watch our exclusive interviews with Ambassador Mikio Mori and Japan Parade 2023 Executive Producer Kumiko Yoshii.

About Japan Parade:

Japan Parade New York City Logo Art. Credit: Provided by Japan Parade NYC.

– Learn more about the parade at the official Japan Parade NYC website.

– Read our interview with George Takei on being Japan Parade’s inaugural Grand Marshal!

Visit the NYC Local News section for exclusive event coverage, including photos & videos on the scene, interviews, and much more!