Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara hailed the accomplishments of Japanese-Americans, saying Japanese immigrants have become deeply rooted in American society after enduring severe hardships.

Maehara told a crowd at the Japanese consulate in Honolulu that he’s proud of the history of Japanese-Americans.

Sen. Daniel Inouye, U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono and former Gov. George Ariyoshi were among those at the consulate to greet the minister.

Maehara visited Hawaii yesterday to meet and discuss regional security issues with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

He also paid his respects to U.S. war dead at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.