Greetings from Consul-General Mizobuchi (May 2025)
2025/5/12
Dear American friends in the Midwest,
I would like to extend my warmest greetings to all of you upon my assumption of the role of Consul-General of Japan in Chicago.
This is my sixth posting in the United States. Over the years, I have spent more than sixteen years in the United States and have had the opportunity to visit all fifty states. I am delighted to call the Midwest—America’s Heartland—my home for the first time. I am also excited to work in the very core of the region, the city of Chicago, and experience firsthand the lifestyle, culture, arts, history, and values of Midwesterners.
The Consul-General of Japan in Chicago serves a total of 10 states (Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas), which is more than any other consulate in the United States or Canada. The states within our jurisdiction are leaders in the manufacturing, technology, and innovation sectors - playing a crucial role in the broader economic landscape, and also boast high standards in education, research, and culture. The combined strengths of these states have led the Midwestern region to be globally recognized as America’s Breadbasket.
The Midwest is also very important to Japan. There are more than 1,500 Japanese companies that operate in the region, creating 150,000 jobs for the community. Additionally, about 36,000 Japanese nationals reside across these ten states.
Ties between Japan and the Midwest have been built and nurtured in many fields through the activities of Japan-related organizations such as the Japan-America Societies, cultural exchanges between local governments, collaborations between universities, youth exchange programs, tourism, and food culture.
In my role within the Japan-U.S. relationship, I will treasure the strong foundations of trust and cooperation that everyone has built up to now, while striving to create new connections and further expand exchanges to solidify a bright future for the Japan-U.S. partnership. Most of all, I look forward to experiencing the individuality and liveliness of the great city of Chicago, promoting future-oriented, deeper exchanges across all areas, and forming meaningful relationships throughout the ten states.
The bonds between people rooted in local communities are vital building blocks for stable relations between countries. That is why as Consul-General I will work earnestly with the people of the Midwest to further strengthen the secure and resolute relationship between Japan and the United States. I look forward to meeting you all.
I would like to extend my warmest greetings to all of you upon my assumption of the role of Consul-General of Japan in Chicago.
This is my sixth posting in the United States. Over the years, I have spent more than sixteen years in the United States and have had the opportunity to visit all fifty states. I am delighted to call the Midwest—America’s Heartland—my home for the first time. I am also excited to work in the very core of the region, the city of Chicago, and experience firsthand the lifestyle, culture, arts, history, and values of Midwesterners.
The Consul-General of Japan in Chicago serves a total of 10 states (Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas), which is more than any other consulate in the United States or Canada. The states within our jurisdiction are leaders in the manufacturing, technology, and innovation sectors - playing a crucial role in the broader economic landscape, and also boast high standards in education, research, and culture. The combined strengths of these states have led the Midwestern region to be globally recognized as America’s Breadbasket.
The Midwest is also very important to Japan. There are more than 1,500 Japanese companies that operate in the region, creating 150,000 jobs for the community. Additionally, about 36,000 Japanese nationals reside across these ten states.
Ties between Japan and the Midwest have been built and nurtured in many fields through the activities of Japan-related organizations such as the Japan-America Societies, cultural exchanges between local governments, collaborations between universities, youth exchange programs, tourism, and food culture.
In my role within the Japan-U.S. relationship, I will treasure the strong foundations of trust and cooperation that everyone has built up to now, while striving to create new connections and further expand exchanges to solidify a bright future for the Japan-U.S. partnership. Most of all, I look forward to experiencing the individuality and liveliness of the great city of Chicago, promoting future-oriented, deeper exchanges across all areas, and forming meaningful relationships throughout the ten states.
The bonds between people rooted in local communities are vital building blocks for stable relations between countries. That is why as Consul-General I will work earnestly with the people of the Midwest to further strengthen the secure and resolute relationship between Japan and the United States. I look forward to meeting you all.