Consul General Hanatani sat for an interview with a reporter from the Bi-Weekly J-News (December 22, 2009).

Consul General Hanatani attended the Japan-America Society of Georgia's annual Bonenkai, which featured a performance by pianist Takana Miyamoto, seen seated here with Consul General Hanatani (December 15, 2009).

Consul General Hanatani hosted a reception honoring the Emperor's birthday at his official residence. This year, in addition to the Emperor's 76th birthday, the guests also celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Emperor's ascension to the throne and the 50th wedding anniversary of the Emperor and Empress (December 3, 2009).

Consul General Hanatani provided opening remarks for Dr. Masaru Yarime, an Associate Professor at the University of Tokyo and a leading expert on sustainability in manufacturing. Dr. Yarime gave a lecture entitled, "Implementing Sustainability Innovation: Corporate Strategy, Public Policy, and Institutional Design," at the Georgia Institute of Technology's Clary Theater (November 16, 2009).

Consul General Hanatani introduced manga artist duo Kouhei Nishino and Tsugumi Nishino, also known as Konohana Sakuya at the Savannah College of Art and Design. The award-winning husband-and-wife team that wrote "Encounters" gave an overview of the comic industry in Japan, and the details of how to get into the manga industry (November 13, 2009).
(Picture: From Left - Mr. Kouhei Nishino, Vice President of SCAD's Atlanta Campus Mr. P.J. Johnson, Consul General Hanatani, and Mrs. Tsugumi Nishino)

Consul General Hanatani attended a luncheon at Riverwood International Charter School with Mr. Eric de Groot, the Founder and Managing Director of the Holland America Chamber (November 13, 2009).
(Picture: Far Left - Consul General Hanatani; Middle, Standing - Mr. Eric de Groot)

Consul General Takuji Hanatani visited Clemson University in South Carolina at a Public Lecture entitled, "The Amazing World of Kanji," by Prof. Tetsuji Atsuji, Kyoto University. Pictured in group photo: (back row) Professors Yuji & Toshiko Kishimoto, and (front row, left to right) Professor Leslie Williams, Dr. Atsuji, Consul General Hanatani, Mr. & Mrs. Harry Watanabe, Former President of FujiFilm. (November 9, 2009).

Consul General Hanatani hosted a Tea Ceremony demonstration at his residence. The ceremony itself was performed by the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Atlanta Association. Guests were not only treated to traditionally served green tea and Japanese sweets, but several were invited to perform in the ceremony itself (November 6, 2009).

Emory University Model UN Club members visited Consul General Hanatani before leaving Atlanta to participate in the University of Pennsylvania's Model United Nations Conference (November 6, 2009).

Consul General Hanatani participated in the 33rd annual SEUS-Japan meeting, held in Tokyo, Japan, on October 18-20, where he gave opening remarks (October 19, 2009).

Consul General Hanatani hosted a reception for JET Returnees at his residence. Recruiting organizations gave presentations on tips for job-hunting to aid the returning JETs in their job searches (October 14, 2009).

Ambassador and Mrs. Fujisaki, along with Consul General and Mrs. Hanatani, attended a luncheon hosted by President Jimmy Carter at the Carter Center (September 30, 2009).

Consul General Hanatani (right) is pictured here with Bunrauku Puppet Master Kiritake Kanjuro III and the two puppets "Osome" and "Hisamatsu," which were donated to Atlanta's Center for Puppetry Arts (September 25, 2009).

Consul General Hanatani received an official Proclamation from Mayor of Duluth Nancy Harris, as part of the festivities at JapanFest this year (September 20, 2009).

Mr. Edward Echols, Prinicipal of Riverwood International Charter School in Fulton Co., and Mr. Jon Valentine, World Languages Program Specialist of the Georgia Dept. of Education, gave a presentation on their experiences during the program, which had been held June 29 through July 9 of this year (August 25, 2009).
(Picture: From Left - Mr. Edward Echols; Mrs. Kathy Cox, Georgia State Superintendent of Schools; Mr. Jon Valentine; Consul General Hanatani)

Consul General Hanatani hosted a dinner at his residence for classically-trained Gospel/Jazz Pianist Chizuko Yoshihiro (August 19, 2009). Ms. Yoshihiro had performed earlier this year at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church.
(Picture: From Left - Mrs. Keiko Hanatani, Ms. Yoshihiro, Rev. Bernice King, Consul General Hanatani)

Consul General Takuji Hanatani paid a courtesy call to the new NC Governor Beverly Perdue in Raleigh (June 24, 2009).

Consul General Hanatani threw the ceremonial first pitch at the Atlanta Braves game versus the Chicago Cubs. Kenshin Kawakami, the first Japanese MLB player at the Braves, caught the Consul General's first pitch (June 22, 2009).

Consul General Hanatani spoke to nearly 200 students at Georgia Perimeter College. The topic of the lecture was "Japan's Place in the World," covering various themes including economic and trade relations, Japan-U.S. relations, and environmental issues (June 17,2009).
(Top Picture: Consul General Hanatani delivering his lecture to Georgia Perimeter College Students.
Bottom Picture: Consul General Hanatani with Georgia Perimeter College President Anthony Tricoli.)

Consul General Takuji Hanatani paid a courtesy call to SC Governor Mark Sanford at the Governor's State House Office in Columbia (June 16, 2009).
(Pictured from Left to Right): Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor, CG Hanatani, SC Governor Mark Sanford, and Mr. Clarke Thompson, Senior Trade Specialist, SC Department of Commerce.

Clemson University students of Japanese, accompanied by language Prof. Toshiko Kishimoto, visit Consul General Takuji Hanatani in his office to learn more about "US-Japan relations" (June 5, 2009).

Consul General Takuji Hanatani with Atlanta Braves Pitcher Kenshin Kawakami at the Japan-America Society of Georgia's Reception in the Hank Aaron Room at Turner Field; also pictured is Mr. Mark Pierson, Executive Vice President of GlobalFax (June 4, 2009).