Posted October 17, 2000

PORTLAND, Ore.--Kiichi Nakai, one of Japan most famous actors, traveled to Portland with 80 guests from Japan to wed Mayuki Yoshitani in Lewis & Clark Agnes Flanagan Chapel, Sunday, Sept.17.

"He the Robert Redford of Japan!" exclaims senior Yumiko Shimabukuro, disappointed that Nakaiwas on her campus and she missed him.

The private wedding attracted Oregon top political, business and academic leaders, including Gov.John Kitzhaber, former Gov. Vic Atiyeh and President Michael Mooney. It also attracted international media.

"I love Oregon," Nakai said. "It so beautiful, with mountains, ocean, lots of green and cities, too. And Oregonians are so warm-hearted."

Nakai is one of Japan six Oregon Goodwill Ambassadors, appointed by Gov. Kitzhaber to strengthen cultural, educational and economic ties between Oregon and Japan.

According to a front-page story in The Oregonian, Nakai decided to hold his wedding in Oregon to give him a natural way to promote the beauty of the state to his many fans.

Japanese media broadcast video of the College "lush hills, towering firs and view of Mount Hood."

Nakai first visited Oregon about 10 years ago, when he landed a guest spot on the popular Japanese television series "From Oregon with Love."