Greetings from the Consul General

My name is Takuji Hanatani, and I assumed my duties as Consul General of Japan in Atlanta on September 14. The Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta covers the five states of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. I will do my best to serve you, so please do not hesitate to let me know your opinions and requests.

I entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1979, and I have worked in bureaus in Tokyo dealing with the Middle East, Africa, and the United States, as well as the United Nations Bureau, the Economic Affairs Bureau, the Foreign Policy Bureau, and the Economic Cooperation Bureau. Overseas, I have worked in Europe (Delegation of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva; Permanent Delegation of Japan to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris; and in Belgium), Africa (Tanzania and Kenya), and South America (Brazil).

This is my first time working in the United States, but the United States was the first foreign country I ever experienced. I was sent to America for two years from 1980 until 1982 for language training, and I spent my student life in New England. I have good memories of the openness of American life and culture as well as the beautiful nature of New England.

Since then, I have visited New York and Washington, D.C. many times on business, but I had never been to the Southeast. It has been a little over two weeks since my arrival, so I do not know this area well yet, but I have heard that the Southeast is a very easy place to live because of southern hospitality. This must explain why there are 25,000 Japanese nationals and 760 Japan-related companies in the Consulate’s five state jurisdiction.

On September 23, my wife and I made a courtesy call to President Jimmy Carter and discussed with him the friendly, cooperative relations between Japan and the United States. We had an exciting conversation about the opening of the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta when he was governor of Georgia and the realization of large-scale investment by Japan-related companies, his memories of climbing Mt. Fuji and visiting Hiroshima, and the Guinea Worm Eradication Program that was implemented through cooperation between the Japanese government and The Carter Center.

I also participated in JapanFest, which was held on September 27 and 28 at the Gwinnett Convention Center. The number of visitors seems to have decreased compared to last year due to the effects of the gasoline shortage, but I was impressed by the depth of cultural exchange between Japan and the United States and the fact that JapanFest is known as one of the largest events introducing Japanese culture in the United States. I offer my gratitude and appreciation for the efforts of all those who supported this traditional event, including The Japan-America Society of Georgia and The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia.

This time, I came from Belgium to Atlanta with my wife, Keiko, and my two children, Taiga (12) and Risa (9). The children have already started attending classes at the Georgia Japanese Language School. We have also decided on a local school for them, and are gradually settling into our life here. I am looking forward to meeting and getting to learn more about you, and making many friends in the Southeast.

October 2008

Takuji Hanatani

Consul General of Japan in Atlanta