Consul General and Mrs. Hanatani paid a courtesy visit to Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue at his office (December 17, 2008).

Consul General Hanatani gave the keynote speech at the 28th Bonenkai-Holiday Dinner of the Japan-America Society of Georgia (Dec. 11, 2008. Photo is with the Chairman of the Society Mr. Charles Ganz).

Consul General Hanatani invited guests from all over his jurisdiction (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia) to celebrate the Emperor's Birthday as the National Day of Japan at his official residence. Here, the Consul General and his wife are greeting guests to the event (December 4, 2008).

Consul General Hanatani visited Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln, AL just prior to the NAJAS Speaker Tour in Birmingham, AL (November 19, 2008; pictured in center: Dr. William Farrell, President of the National Association of Japan-America Societies, Consul General Takuji Hanatani, and Mr. Larry Swetonic, President of the Japan-America Society of Alabama; pictured at far right is Mr. Hiroshi Sasamoto, President of Honda Manufacturing of Alabama).

Consul General Hanatani gave remarks at the annual reception held for JET Returnees at the official residence. In addition to the Consul General's speech, recruiting organizations gave presentations on tips for job-hunting to aid the returning JETs in their job searches (November 14, 2008).

Consul General and Mrs. Hanatani paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Ted Turner at Turner Enterprises (November 04, 2008).

Consul General Hanatani was given a welcoming reception to his new post by the Japan-America Society of Georgia at the UPS Corporate Campus, where he gave a brief speech (November 3, 2008).

Consul General Hanatani received Mr. Li Wong, publisher of the Georgia Asian Times, a local newspaper, for an interview (October 31, 2008).

Consul General Hanatani was invited to give a presentation, titled "Japan's Place in the World," for the Southern Center for International Studies' Young Professionals group as part of an ongoing series of country briefs (October 29, 2008).

Consul General & Mrs. Hanatani visited Mr. Jim Walton, President of CNN Worldwide (left), and Mr. Tony Maddox, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of CNN International, at the CNN Center in Atlanta (October 27, 2008).

Consul General Hanatani gave remarks at the 32nd Annual SEUS-Japan Meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina (October 19-21, 2008).

Top Photo: Consul General Takuji Hanatani visits with NC's Governor Michael Easley at the SEUS-Japan Conference Chairman's VIP Reception & Dinner, which was held at the NC Museum of Art, Raleigh, NC (October 18, 2008).

Bottom Photo: At the North Carolina State Fair (from right): Consul General Hanatani, Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Mr. Ichiro Fujisaki, Mrs. Fujisaki, and Mr. Steve Troxler, North Carolina's Agricultural Commissioner

The Consul General held a lunch reception with the Vice Governor of Aichi Prefecture and Central Japan International Airport officials at the official residence to promote the new line between Nagoya and Atlanta (October 15, 2008).

Consul General Hanatani paid a courtesy visit to Governor of Alabama Bob Riley at the Governor's Office in Montgomery (October 7, 2008).

The Consulate General of Japan exhibited "The Tale of Genji" at JapanFest this year, commemmorating the millennial anniversary of the world's first novel (September 27-28, 2008; approx. 14,000 in attendance).

Consul General & Mrs. Hanatani paid a courtesy visit to President Jimmy Carter at the Carter Center (September 23, 2008).

Consul General Hanatani waved the start flag at the 2008 Atlanta Ekiden Relay, a type of long-distance relay invented in Japan circa 1917 (September 21, 2008).

At Anime Weekend Atlanta (AWA), the Consulate General of Japan had an exhibit, showcasing more traditional aspects of Japan as well as popular culture. Seen here are participants registering for the Consulate's cultural calendar email service (September 19-21, 2008; approx. 13,000 in attendance).

The Consulate General of Japan participated in the Greenville, SC Bon Dance Festival with displays of food culture, dolls, and festival-related exhibits (August 16, 2008; approx. 2,000 in attendance).