Consul General Shinozuka’s Courtesy Visit to Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed

    ： On March 10th, Consul General(CG) Shinozuka paid a courtesy call on Mayor Kasim Reed at the Atlanta City Hall. During the call, CG Shinozuka told Mayor Reed that the Consulate was established in Atlanta in 1974, and in 1994, Atlanta was the port of entry on the itinerary of Their Imperial Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan's official visit to the United States. In addition to these facts implying the significance of Atlanta in the southeast U.S., CG Shinozuka updated the Mayor that currently there are about 140 Japanese businesses in Atlanta, about 2,000 Japanese citizens residing in the city. They both agreed that the 10th anniversary celebration of the Atlanta – Fukuoka Sister City relationship last year was a big success, as CG Shinozuka requested the Mayor for further support and cooperation to strengthening the ties between Japan and Atlanta. Mayor Reed in response told CG about his participation in the exchange program in Japan for six weeks prior to running in the Mayoral election which he recalled as a very valuable experience. The Mayor called Japan a very important economic and trade partner and expressed his hopes to further strengthening Atlanta's ties with Japan. It should be noted that in October of this year, Atlanta will host the US-Japan Grassroots Summit: Atlanta, Georgia Conference. CG Shinozuka asked for the City of Atlanta’s cooperation for the success of this large-scale grass roots exchange.