Ronald and Nancy Reagan's 1989 trip to Japan
[5] Performers at the concert included Perry Como, Placido Domingo, the Boys Choir of Harlem and the Japanese singer Yuzo Kayama.[5] After the concert Reagan gave a speech which left people confused as it was largely about criticising the American press for describing the entertainment industry as narcissistic.[5] On 24 October Reagan threw the ceremonial first pitch at Game 3 of the 1989 Japan Series between Kintetsu Buffaloes and Yomiuri Giants at the Tokyo Dome.[5][4] Reagan also gave a speech and attended a banquet held in honor of the inaugural winners of the Praemium Imperiale, an award established by the Japan Art Association.[7] While in Japan at the Embassy of the United States, Tokyo, the Reagans encountered their friend, the comedian Bob Hope who had been performing at a charity function.[7] Reagan received the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum from Emperor Akihito for "mainting an developing friendly relations and coopoeration between the United States and Japan" during his presidency.[5][2][4] In his speeches Reagan urged the Japanese government to support the burgeoning democracy movement in Poland and to reject thoughts of American economic and social decline.The historian Henry Graff said that "The founding fathers - Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison - would have been stunned that an occupant of the highest office in this land turned it into bucks".[13] The Boston Globe wrote that critics "may have never perceived Reagan's uniqueness" as his style was "that of a performer who presided over government" and his speeches for Fujisankei could be seen as a reprise of his work for General Electric but with "more fanfare and better pay".[8] The columnist William Safire was critical of the trip writing that "Let us grant our former leaders the right to make money in great fistfuls, especially in memoirs; it's a free country, and they are private citizens ...[11] He also jokingly said that for the last 16 years he "hadn't made any kind of money" and that on the trip he sought to eliminate any remaining barriers on free trade between Japan and the United States.[11] The former British prime minister Edward Heath was present at one of the events attended by Reagan and jokingly said that his only concern was that he wanted "$2 million for my next 20 minutes".
President of the United StatesRonald ReaganFujisankei Communications GroupCharles Z. WickYasuhiro NakasoneSankei ShimbunHaneda AirportHakone Open-Air MuseumYokohama ArenaPerry ComoPlacido DomingoBoys Choir of HarlemYuzo Kayama1989 Japan SeriesKintetsu BuffaloesYomiuri GiantsTokyo DomePraemium ImperialeDavid HockneyEmbassy of the United States, TokyoBob HopeGrand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the ChrysanthemumAkihitoEmperor AkihitoEmpress MichikoAkasaka PalaceToshiki KaifuNoboru TakeshitaPrincess TakamatsuNobuhito, Prince TakamatsuColumbia Pictureshis presidential libraryHirohitoHenry GraffEditorialsThe Boston GlobeThe New York TimesThe Baltimore SunFujisankeiGeneral ElectricWilliam SafireBritish prime ministerEdward HeathJimmy CarterPeopleThe Los Angeles TimesJacobinGovernor of CaliforniaBirthplacePitney StoreBoyhood homeGeneral Electric Showcase HouseRancho del Cielo668 St. Cloud RoadFilmographyPolitical positionsGovernorship of CaliforniaPresidential Library and MuseumReagan EraDeath and state funeralRiderless horsePresidencyTransitionFirst inaugurationSecond inaugurationDomestic policyEconomic policyEconomic Recovery Tax Act of 1981Tax Reform Act of 1986Assassination attemptStrategic Defense InitiativeForeign policyReagan DoctrineCold War1st term2nd termSoviet Union summitsGenevaReykjavíkWashingtonINF TreatyMoscowGovernors IslandConstructive engagementInvasion of GrenadaIran–Contra affairLibya bombingCannabis policyInternational tripsThe Grace CommissionJudicial appointmentsSupreme CourtcontroversiesAdministration scandalsWe begin bombing in five minutesImpeachment effortsBush transitionSpeechesRonald Reagan Speaks Out Against Socialized Medicine"A Time for Choosing"Neshoba County Fair "states' rights" speechFirst inaugural addressJoint session of Congress"Ash heap of history""Evil empire"Second inaugural address"Tear down this wall!"State of the UnionAn American LifeThe Reagan DiariesElections1966 California gubernatorial election11th commandment1970 California gubernatorial electionRepublican presidential primaries (1968Republican National Convention (19681976 presidential campaign1980 presidential campaign"There you go again""Let's make America great again"1984 presidential campaign"Morning in America""Bear in the woods"United States presidential election (1976Cultural depictionsBibliography