[Seiichiro Takahashi, Consul General of Japan in Boston]
When did you move to Boston?
I moved to Boston on September 19th. It still hasn’t been very long but already a lot of memories of my earlier Boston days in 1994-96 have come back to me after my arrival. Boston was the very first foreign soil I stepped on 30 years ago as a young Japanese diplomat. This is also the place where I attended graduate school, commuting to the Tufts campus in Medford and the Harvard campus in Cambridge by bike, every day. On the third day after my arrival here, I hosted the first reception at my residence. Among the guests was a group from my graduate school some call, the “Fletcher Mafia,” who welcomed me back to this lovely network of intellectuals. Yes, this is my second home, you might say.
What does the Consulate General of Japan in Boston do?
First, one of the main missions of the Consulate General of Japan in Boston is to provide consular services in New England. Our jurisdiction covers Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and most of Connecticut and, in this area, there are around 18,000 Japanese residents today. It is our fundamental duty to ensure their safety and peaceful daily life.
Second, we encourage the activities of Japanese businesses in New England. Nowadays, nearly 200 Japanese companies contribute to the business and economy in this region as well as the trade and investment between Japan and the United States. I have been amazed and excited to witness the rise of Boston as the world center of research and development, especially in the fields of life-sciences, biotech and other related areas, generating a new wave of Japanese business participation. I would like to mobilize our competencies and resources to further facilitate their business here.
Third, the Consulate General is also responsible for further developing and enhancing the Japan-U.S. relationship on various levels, including in the areas of academics, culture and sports. Especially, I have placed great importance on people-to-people exchange. At the end of the day, foreign relations are all about the relationships between individuals. We also assist local governments and relevant organizations in both countries to maintain sister city relations, of which there are 24 within New England today.
Finally, I would like to evolve the Consulate-General of Japan to also become an open information platform, showcasing the various activities, talents, and achievements of all Japan related communities, in order to make them more visible and vibrant here in Boston and throughout New England.
[The Consul General with Consulate staff members]
What are the benefits and challenges of working in America?
There are too many benefits of working in America that I cannot list all of them here, but I would like to begin with the importance of the Japan-U.S. relationship and Japan-U.S. alliance. They are the corner stones of the foreign policy of Japan, and as the Japanese Consul General in Boston, I am very honored and privileged to have the opportunity to advance them further.
Politically, Japan-U.S. relations will soon face a new era. Recently, our new Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, assumed office in Japan. In November, the Presidential election will be held, and a new administration will be established in the United States. It will be our challenge to navigate this new era, but I believe that we will further strengthen our relations.
What is your favorite thing about Boston?
30 years ago, it was obviously my own choice to start my career abroad by studying in Boston. To me, Boston represents the heart and soul of America, based on its traditional western culture and democratic values as well as its ever-evolving innovative spirit - especially in science and business. After 30 years, I am truly impressed to see the new surge and expansion of involvement of Japanese companies and entrepreneurs in start-ups, R&Ds, and other business activities here. We, the Japanese, always place value on both tradition and innovation.
Last but not least, I have been a big fan of Tom Scholz, and his band “Boston” since my high school days. Scholz and his band made a tremendous impact upon the soul and sense of a pure country boy from Iwate prefecture, northern Japan, inspiring him to turn his eyes and interests to the U.S. and the outside world.
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