2023年度の「春の例会・午餐会」が３月２３日（木）に京王プラザホテルで開催された。ゲスト・スピーカーには、共同通信社（「世界の共同」）の 元ワシントン支局長を務め、現在、同社札幌支局長の木下　英臣会員に、首都土ワシントンから観た日米関係、政治風土・日米文化の相違、さらに今年行われる米国の中間選挙について、パワーポイントを使用し語って頂いた。

木下氏が、実際にトランプ大統領の2016年の就任式典などにも出席され写真を撮影されたり、アメリカの政界の高官との交流、その他の秘話や験談に聴衆は、興味深く聞き入っていた。ある会員からは「日米の政治文化の違いはむろん、ご自身が体感されたストーリーから多くの事を学ばさせて頂いた」との感想も届いていた。

We were pleased to welcome as guest speaker for the spring luncheon on March 23rd (Thursday) Mr. Hideomi Kinoshita, Managing Director, Sapporo Regional Office, Kyodo News — one of Japan`s most famous, influential, and respected news agencies domestically and internationally.

Mr. Kinoshita provided an engaging talk about his numerous experiences when he was stationed in Washington D.C. as Bureau Chief. He wrote a large number of reports during the Obama Administration and covered President Donald Trump’s inauguration, showing us his photos of the president being sworn in—photos taken from his unique vantage point in the press section.

Mr. Kinoshita also spoke about the current state of American politics, sharing behind-scenes stories of the political culture and climate at not only at the White House but also in the U.S. congress. Especially regarding the sharp divisions between the Democrats and Republicans. He looked ahead to 2024 and the mid-term congressional elections, mentioned possible presidential candidates for the Republicans (Trump, his former VP Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley) and speculated on who among the Democrats (VP Kamala Harris, California Gov. Gavin Newsom) might run should President Joe Biden decide to retire after one term.

Mr. Kinoshita’s talk was warmly received, and the audience learned a great deal from his stimulating and detailed his presentation.