NEWPORT BEACH — The Japan America Society of Southern California and World Affairs Council Orange County will host a dinner with James P. Zumwalt, assistant secretary of state for Japan and Korean affairs, on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at The Pacific Club, 4110 MacArthur Blvd. in Newport Beach.
His topic will be “The U.S. Rebalance Toward Asia: A Look at the Year Ahead.”
Registration is at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. and program at 7:15 p.m.
The year 2014 offers many opportunities for the U.S. to sustain its policy of strengthening ties to the world’s most dynamic region. Zumwalt will discuss the Obama Administration’s efforts to strengthen bilateral security alliances, promote partnerships with like-minded countries, work constructively with China in areas of common interest, take advantage of opportunities for trade and investment, and promote people-to-people ties with Asia. He will look back on achievements over the past year and opportunities that lie ahead.
Zumwalt began his tour as deputy assistant secretary of state on Jan. 3, 2012. He previously served as the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. He was director of the Office of Japanese Affairs at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. from 2006-2008 and has served prior assignments in Japan as economic minister counselor, Embassy Tokyo economic officer, and Consulate Kobe consular officer.
Admission is $55 for JAS members, $75 for non-members, $550 for reserved table of 10. RSVP by Feb. 3 by calling (310) 965-9050, ext. 104 or going online to www.jas-socal.org. Parking is complimentary.