At the dinner, Bill Woods, Director of International Advancement, presented an outline of the timeline for development of the new Soga Japan Center, the mission of the Center, and the anticipated major future steps to be undertaken related to the Center. The Japanese delegation expressed their appreciation for the presentation and their enthusiasm for the formation of the Center. The major topic of discussion was the impending event in Tokyo to honor Dr. Soga and celebrate the formation of the Center. There was general agreement that the most appropriate date to conduct the ceremony would be March 2007.

As increasing numbers of the Friends reach the age of retirement the importance of bringing new alumni into an active relationship with Friends of WMU was discussed. Efforts on both sides of the Pacific will be necessary to locate Japanese alumni. An action plan will be developed by Woods/Jin Abe to begin locating alumni by fall 2006.

A significant symbolic gesture at the end of dinner included the signing of a small American flag by the Japanese present and the signing of the Japanese flag by the Americans present. This ceremony represented a "commitment" to continued close relationships between WMU and the Japanese Friends of WMU and to meet again in 2007.