Aug. 29 - Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill is traveling to Geneva for the second working group discussions with the DPRK delegation. He said, "The purpose of these working groups ... is to fulfill the requirements set out in the February agreement that there should be five working groups and they need to proceed, make progress on their various issues." [More]

Aug. 29 - In its Summer 2007 edition, the Japanese-language online magazine "American View" interviews Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Wendy Cutler on the recently concluded free trade agreement between the U.S. and South Korea as well as on the benefits of free trade. Next, Embassy Environmental Officer John Gregg outlines the U.S. strategy for a new framework to fight global warming, and organizer Robin Berrington explains the Japan Bowl competition for high school students in the U.S., with members of the two winning teams discussing how they became interested in Japanese language and culture. [Download here]

Aug. 22 - The U.S. condemns the Burmese regime's Aug. 22 arrest of Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi and several other pro-democracy activists for organizing peaceful demonstrations to express public concern about recent increases in the price of fuel. The U.S. is calling for the immediate release of these activists and for an end to the regime's blatant attempt to intimidate and silence those engaged in peaceful promotion of democracy and human rights in Burma. [More]

Aug. 21 - Experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will put a second tsunami-warning device in the Indian Ocean in September, as part of the U.S. commitment to help the region protect communities from tsunamis. After the December 2004 earthquake off Sumatra and the tsunami that killed 230,000 people, the U.S. established a two-year $16.6 million program to help build an early warning system. [More]

Aug. 21 - Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior David Cohen promoted the upcoming 4th Conference on Business Opportunities in the Islands at a press availability hosted by the Embassy. The conference, designed to foster private sector economic development in the U.S.-affiliated island areas, will be held on Guam Oct. 8-9. [More]

Aug. 17 - Gen. Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with Japanese reporters at a press roundtable hosted by the Embassy on Aug. 17. Gen. Pace spoke about the strength of the U.S.-Japan military alliance and the continued importance of allied cooperation in combatting terrorism around the world. [Photos]

Aug. 16 - The Acting Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, Henrietta Fore, authorized $100,000 in U.S. humanitarian aid in response to the severe impact of recent floods in North Korea. Two U.S. non-governmental organizations will each receive $50,000 to provide supplies to those in need. [USAID press release]

Aug. 13 - Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. will visit China Oct. 28 - Nov. 6 to train youngsters in China's budding baseball program. Ripken is taking on a new role as a State Dept. public diplomacy sports envoy. [More]

Aug. 10 - Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer and Foreign Minister Taro Aso signed a General Security of Military Information Agreement at the Foreign Ministry on Aug. 10. Afterwards, they shook hands in another sign of our close bilateral ties.

Aug. 7 - James L. Connaughton, chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, spoke at an Embassy press conference on Aug. 7. He explained the U.S. policy on climate change and the latest initiatives of the Bush Administration. [More]

Aug. 3 - Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte met Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi (pictured left) at Iikura House in Tokyo. Later, Negroponte spoke and answered questions at an Embassy press conference. [More]