I am introducing myself as the new Consul General of Japan in Seattle.
First, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to those and their families in the U.S., in Japan, and around the world who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. I would also like to extend my appreciation and respect to all essential workers and medical professionals on the frontlines fighting this virus.
The Consulate-General of Japan will continue to do our best to provide useful information and support to maintain the safety and health of the approximately 18,000 Japanese residents in Washington, Montana, and northern Idaho. Let us support each other to overcome these turbulent times together.
The Greater Seattle area is one of the fastest developing metropolitan regions on the West Coast. The birthplace of the Boeing Company, the region has developed into an aerospace industry hub. In recent years, it has contributed to the dramatic development of Information Technology and other advanced industries, attracting researchers and technical talent from around the world. It is also becoming a global leader in the AI (artificial intelligence) and cloud-computing fields.
Locally headquartered companies such as Amazon and Microsoft have been vital for society’s adaption to life under the COVID-19 pandemic, and the tools and services they offer are an integral part of our daily lives. They will continue to be pioneers in introducing new ways to adapt to the “new normal.”
Moreover, companies and organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are internationally recognized as innovators in the field of global health, particularly in the advancement of life sciences.
I am excited and honored to have been assigned to a city like Seattle that leads the world in a variety of industries.
Furthermore, this area has a history of over 100 years of Japanese immigration, beginning with the settlement of the first Japanese immigrants in the late 19th century who worked in timber mills, railroad construction, and farming, and later overcame the devastating history of the incarceration camps during World War II. I wish to learn more about their history while deepening and further solidifying the friendships between Japan, Washington, Montana, and northern Idaho. I am committed to spreading the beauty of Japan to as many people as possible while building collaborative relationships with everyone’s aid and support.
I will be grateful for your understanding and cooperation. Thank you.
INAGAKI Hisao
