As he tells it, the first time Bellevue resident Hugh Burleson II became passionate about Japan was when he landed on the country’s shores as a young G.I. during World War II. Little did he know then that he’d spend the rest of his life involved in U.S.-Japan relations. Burleson would go on to obtain a degree in Asian Studies from U.C. Berkley, go into the foreign service, and later became an active organizer in Bellevue’s Japanese/Japanese American community. Before becoming a volunteer for the Aki Matsuri festival, he helped spearhead Bellevue’s former Japan Week.

Burleson heads Bellevue’s Sister Cities organization, which will hold a dinner reception, Oct. 21 at Bellevue City Hall Concourse and then a conference, Oct. 22 at Crossroads Community Center. For more information, go to http://www.bellevuesistercities.org/.

Bellevue Reporter’s Diverse|City blogger sat down with Burleson to discuss the culture that’s had a profound influence on his life: from his wife and family, to his passion and activities.

To read the Q&A, click here.