Governor and Mrs. Nathan Deal received Consul General and Mrs. Hanatani for the purpose of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the gift of cherry blossom trees from Japan to the United States. A nation wide cherry blossom tree planting initiative is under way to plant young saplings throughout the United States to symbolize the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan (March 1, 2012).

Consul General Hanatani attended the opening of The Art of Gaman Exhibition, held at The Breman Jewish Heritage & Holocaust Museum during February through May 2012. (Note: Gaman means "enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity.") Seventy years after many Japanese Americans (mostly American citizens) were interned in camps, the Consul General reflected on this "Day of Remembrance" and reminded all to be vigilant against racism, bias and discrimination (February 19, 2012).

Professor Shinichi Kakegawa and 22 Japanese students visited the United States for the first time as participants in the Global Business Program, a program organized by J.F. Oberlin University, the Japan-America Society of Georgia, and Obirin Gakuen Foundation of America. Consul General Hanatani spoke about his jurisdiction in the southeastern region of the United States and about the Consulate’s role (February 14, 2012).

Consul General Hanatani welcomed 27 teachers to an Education Workshop at the Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta. They heard lectures on Japanese politics by Dr. Kim Reimann from Georgia State University and on the Japanese economy by Dr. R. Anton Braun of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Mr. Mike Raymer of the Georgia Council on Economic Education gave practical advice on linking lessons to Georgia’s required curriculum. The workshop was sponsored by the Consulate, the Japan-America Society of Georgia, and the Georgia Council on Economic Education (January 24, 2012).

Consul General Hanatani co-hosted the Japan-America Society of Georgia’s annual Kickoff Reception at his residence (January 19, 2012).

Pictured are Consul General Hanatani and JASG Chairman Day Lancaster.

Consul General Hanatani accompanied Ms. Kuniko Tanioka (House of Councillors/Japan) to meet with President Carter in Plains, Georgia to exchange views on nuclear power (January 15, 2012).

Pictured: President Jimmy Carter & Mrs. Carter with Ms. Tanioka and Consul General Hanatani.