A Message from Consul General Maeda

Greetings,

My name is Mio Maeda (Mee-oh Mai-eh-dah), and I am pleased to be the Consul General of Japan in Atlanta as of November 3rd 2022. My previous post was as Deputy Head of Mission at the Japanese Embassy in Switzerland located in Bern. I am looking forward to serving and working with you all.

To briefly introduce myself, I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1990. My experience overseas includes positions at the Embassy in Switzerland, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and Italy. Within Japan and outside of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I have served as a Chamberlain to HM the Emperor of Japan at the Imperial Household Agency, and I also worked at the Cabinet Secretariat as a Counselor for the National Policy Unit.

Although I have been to the United States before, both officially and for personal vacation, this is my first posting in the United States and also my first time serving as Consul General, so I am very excited and full of hope.

Once I heard that my next assignment would be in Atlanta, I talked with many people who shared their stories and introduced me to the culture of the Southeast. The Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta is proud to serve 4 states, namely the states of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

The Southeast has strong ties with Japan. These states host a large number of Japanese companies, and offer a direct flight to Japan from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which is said to be “the busiest airport in the world”.

The Southeast is great not only for business, but also the Southeast is blessed with land full of nature and famous for its people’s “Southern Hospitality.” I’ve heard this is a very comfortable and good area to live. I would like to get used to life here, and make my own form of hospitality combining Japanese ‘omotenashi’ and Southern ’hospitality.’

I will do my utmost to be a conduit for strengthening the good relationship between Japan and the Southeast. Should you need anything from us, please contact us at the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta anytime.

I look forward to working together with you all.