Consul-General Naoki Ito's New Year Greeting (January 2018)
2018/1/4
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year.
December 1st 2017, the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago celebrated its 120th anniversary. We will continue to put forth our utmost efforts to provide consular services that will ensure the safety and security of the approximately 33,000 Japanese nationals residing in our 10 state jurisdiction. We will continue maximize our efforts to provide information through our Consular Services at the consulate, as well as our traveling Consular Service, website, and via email.
Amid the growing tensions in East Asia, including over North Korea, such events as Prime Minister Abe’s visit in February 2017 and President Trump’s visit to Japan in November 2017 has confirmed the unwavering bond of the Japan-U.S.
Since I started my duties in Chicago last February, I have traveled to various parts of the Midwest. I have spoken to many local governments and councils, as well as the general public about the importance of further developing our relationship between Japan and the Midwest, as well as about the remarkable contributions of Japanese businesses and industries have to the region. We have also worked hard to enhance our collaboration with local partners such as Japan America Societies, Japanese Chambers of Commerce, as well as Japanese nationals and Japanese Americans in various regions. I have had the opportunity to see for myself how everyone’s effort in each community plays a significant role in developing a closer friendship between Japan and the U.S. I hope to continue to work both with the public and private sectors to disseminate information, in order to raise Japan’s presence in the Midwest.
Last September, our consulate, with partnership with JETRO Chicago, launched the “Grassroots Caravan Tour”. These visits put focus on smaller local cities and communities in order to explain the contribution of Japanese companies to local economies and the Japan-U.S. economic relations as well as to promote this understanding at the grassroots level and to conduct business seminars and exchanges with local communities. Under these two purposes, we aim to develop new trade and investment opportunities in a two-way economic relationship. So far this has been carried out in Peoria City, Rochelle City, Effingham City, Mount Vernon City, Marion City, and Columbus City of Illinois, Evansville City, and Princeton City of Indiana. In the 10 Midwest states under our jurisdiction, there are about 1,400 Japanese companies with offices and about 140,000 jobs are created and expected to further increase. As the consulate, we will continue to assist you as much as possible for the business development of Japanese companies.
In addition, the 49th Annual Joint Meeting of the Japan-Midwest U.S. Association was held in Tokyo last September. There were more than 300 people from the political and business world in attendance, including Illinois Governor Rauner, and 5 other governors from the Midwest. The Midwest governors meeting with Prime Minister Abe, prior to the conference, had also helped raise awareness of the Midwest in Japan. This September, the 50th meeting will be held in Omaha Nebraska. In order to further strengthen the relationship between Japan and the Midwest, we will work together to make this year’s joint meeting a success on the 50th milestone.
In the Midwest, there are 72 sister cities and prefectures/states. There are cultural exchange, such as Japanese festivals held at various Japanese gardens and venues. In addition, Japanese language education is actively being promoted. I feel that everyone’s effort in each local community play a significant role in the development of the relationship between Japan and the U.S. This year marks many milestones for the 45th anniversary of Osaka-Chicago sister city relationship and many other sister cities. I believe that these milestones will be valuable opportunities for further strengthening relations and raising the presence of Japan in the Midwest.
I would like to thank you all for your continuous support.
Sincerely,
Naoki Ito
Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago
Happy New Year.
December 1st 2017, the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago celebrated its 120th anniversary. We will continue to put forth our utmost efforts to provide consular services that will ensure the safety and security of the approximately 33,000 Japanese nationals residing in our 10 state jurisdiction. We will continue maximize our efforts to provide information through our Consular Services at the consulate, as well as our traveling Consular Service, website, and via email.
Amid the growing tensions in East Asia, including over North Korea, such events as Prime Minister Abe’s visit in February 2017 and President Trump’s visit to Japan in November 2017 has confirmed the unwavering bond of the Japan-U.S.
Since I started my duties in Chicago last February, I have traveled to various parts of the Midwest. I have spoken to many local governments and councils, as well as the general public about the importance of further developing our relationship between Japan and the Midwest, as well as about the remarkable contributions of Japanese businesses and industries have to the region. We have also worked hard to enhance our collaboration with local partners such as Japan America Societies, Japanese Chambers of Commerce, as well as Japanese nationals and Japanese Americans in various regions. I have had the opportunity to see for myself how everyone’s effort in each community plays a significant role in developing a closer friendship between Japan and the U.S. I hope to continue to work both with the public and private sectors to disseminate information, in order to raise Japan’s presence in the Midwest.
Last September, our consulate, with partnership with JETRO Chicago, launched the “Grassroots Caravan Tour”. These visits put focus on smaller local cities and communities in order to explain the contribution of Japanese companies to local economies and the Japan-U.S. economic relations as well as to promote this understanding at the grassroots level and to conduct business seminars and exchanges with local communities. Under these two purposes, we aim to develop new trade and investment opportunities in a two-way economic relationship. So far this has been carried out in Peoria City, Rochelle City, Effingham City, Mount Vernon City, Marion City, and Columbus City of Illinois, Evansville City, and Princeton City of Indiana. In the 10 Midwest states under our jurisdiction, there are about 1,400 Japanese companies with offices and about 140,000 jobs are created and expected to further increase. As the consulate, we will continue to assist you as much as possible for the business development of Japanese companies.
In addition, the 49th Annual Joint Meeting of the Japan-Midwest U.S. Association was held in Tokyo last September. There were more than 300 people from the political and business world in attendance, including Illinois Governor Rauner, and 5 other governors from the Midwest. The Midwest governors meeting with Prime Minister Abe, prior to the conference, had also helped raise awareness of the Midwest in Japan. This September, the 50th meeting will be held in Omaha Nebraska. In order to further strengthen the relationship between Japan and the Midwest, we will work together to make this year’s joint meeting a success on the 50th milestone.
In the Midwest, there are 72 sister cities and prefectures/states. There are cultural exchange, such as Japanese festivals held at various Japanese gardens and venues. In addition, Japanese language education is actively being promoted. I feel that everyone’s effort in each local community play a significant role in the development of the relationship between Japan and the U.S. This year marks many milestones for the 45th anniversary of Osaka-Chicago sister city relationship and many other sister cities. I believe that these milestones will be valuable opportunities for further strengthening relations and raising the presence of Japan in the Midwest.
I would like to thank you all for your continuous support.
Sincerely,
Naoki Ito
Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago