The memory of John Manjiro lives on in many ways in many places. Symbolizing his life and historical significance, there is a statue of him looking out over the Pacific, octant in hand, at Cape Ashizuri in Tosa Shimizu, Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku, near his Nakanohama birthplace.
At Cape Ashizuri there is also John Mung House, a museum that displays numerous items and photographs related to Manjiro, Capt. Whitfield, New Bedford and Fairhaven (open 9 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Thursdays; 300 yen).
In Tokyo, the John Manjiro Whitfield Commemorative Center for International Exchange has been holding "grassroots summits" in Japan and the United States alternately since 1991. To date, some 20,000 people have participated. This year's summit will be held July 14-21 in New England, with visits to New Bedford and Fairhaven.
In Osaka, the Osaka John Mung Society works in cooperation with the Tokyo organization. It also has an annual program for one Japanese high-school student to homestay in the United States for three weeks.
Last but not least, both Fairhaven and New Bedford have vibrant sister-city ties with the city of Tosa Shimizu.