JAAGA opened 14th annual convention at Grand Hill Ichigaya on 21 (Thu.) May.　After general meeting, we had the lecture and party.

【General Meeting】　　At beginning of bills deliberation, we prayed silently for four JAAGA members who had past away for past one year, Mr.Ryoji Seki, Mr.Kiichirou Suzuki, Mr.Motoharu Shirakawa and Mr.Isao Kuroda.
　　General meeting was started at 3:00p.m. with 56 participants (regular member) and 169 letter of proxy presenters.
　　After president Toutake expressed gratitude for participation to general meeting, he said "It past more than 10 years since JAAGA's establishment in 1996, JAAGA has contributed for friendship between Japan Air Self Defense Force and United States Air Force, and promoted friendly relation between Japan and the United States of America during past period.　I would like to respect for many seniors who have made efforts during this term.　 By the way, the other day I was invited by Lt.Gen.Rice to luncheon which was held for General Schwartz (Chief of Staff, US Air Force), who visited Japan unofficially.　I would like to show you that Gen. Schwartz expressed us will of thanks on JAAGA activities in cooperation with Gen.Rice on this occasion.　We know that we have to improve or change many issues about our activities, but JAAGA officers have acted positively for JAAGA now, so I would like to request you all about supporting and cooperation with them".
　　Then chairperson reported "total of attendant / letter of proxy presenter is one-third above of regular member, so this general meeting is effected", and bills deliberation was started.　Secretariats in charge explained about business report, statement of accounts and inspection report and 2009 business plan and 2009 budget.　These four bills were approved according to proposal.　During this deliberation an attendant questioned about recruitment of new JAAGA members.　Secretariat in charge answered that "we aim to ensure 300 regular members for the present".　Another question was that "Does JAAGA support high-school students or members of small business association about visiting USAF base except university students?"　Officer in charge replied that "we will consider this issue in future."
　　Part amendment of JAAGA charter was discussed as the fifth bill.　Revision of membership fee was approved last year, so we proposed to partly amend the charter.　The bill was approved.　6th bill about officers election was decided as proposal.　The newly elected officers are Mr.Kazuyuki Tanaka, Mr.Yoshihiko Iba, Mr.Kouhei Noda, Mr.Akitsugu Tsuji, Mr.Kazuhiko Matsuda, Mr.Hiroshi Mima, Mr.Mikio Ishiwatari, and Touru Kobata as secretariat of headquarters.　And Mr.Yasushi Maruyama was selected as head of Misawa branch.　Newly appointed and retired officers were introduced at the end of meeting.　(reported by secretariat Kurabeishi)

【Lecture】　　Lecture was started at 4:30p.m..　About 200 audience participated in this lecture, regular members, associate members and airmen of US Air Force included Lt.Gen. Rice (commander of Fifth Air Force).　The lecturer was Brig.Gen.Williams, commander of 18th Wing and Kadena AB.).　Subject of lecture was "United States Air Force on Okinawa".　His lecture was very zealous, witty and interesting.　The lecture content will be on this homepage in near future.　(Click to access the lecture script)
　　(reported by secretariat Takahashi)

【Party】　　Party started at 6:00p.m., about 200 people participated in it.　Mr.Masahisa Satoh (Diet member), General Kenichiro Hokazono (Chief of Staff, JASDF), JASDF members of ASO and JASDF units, Lt.Gen.& Mrs.Rice, Brig.Gen.Williams and USAF airmen, vice president of JANAFA, president of Tsubasa-kai attended as distinguished guest.　Party started with greeting by president Toutake.　President revealed to attendance that Gen,Schwartz had pointed JAAGA has acted very important role to strengthen alliance between Japan and United States when Mr.Tohtake recently had met him.　Then he said "we will make effort to contribute for improving reliability between JASDF and USAF, so we would like to have your great support to JAAGA".　And we had witty congratulatory address by Gen.Rice, Gen.Hokazono and Mr.Satoh.　　Then Mr.Kouji Muraki (vice president of Tsubasa-kai) proposed a toast to start social gathering.　Social gathering was very gorgeous and friendly, attendants stood in a circle here and there , and enjoyed conversation.　Pleasant 2 hours past so soon, then vice president Mori proposed a toast to close social gathering.　We could have successful 2009 annual convention.　(reported by secretariat Kobata)