Consulate-General of Japan in Houston

On Tuesday, March 26, Consul-General of Japan Jota Yamamoto presented the Houston Astros President George Postolos with a Daruma Doll, a gift from Mayor of Chiba City Toshihito Kumagai.  The Daruma was given to wish the Astros all the best for their upcoming season and to cheer for the team to take the American League Pennant this year.

Chiba City is the sister city of Houston.  Like Houston, Chiba City is home to a professional baseball team, the Chiba Lotte Marines.  The Marines won Japan’s National Championship title in 2010 and in years past.  As head of the recent Sister City Delegation from Houston to Chiba, City Council Member Ed Gonzalez threw the first pitch at a Chiba Lotte Marines game.   In a message to President Postolos, Mayor Kumagai wrote, “I hope that our mutual love of baseball will further strengthen the friendship between our two cities.” 

President Postolos was also presented with the Chiba Lotte Marines uniform, bearing the No. 26.  No. 26 represents Marines fans (Tomodachi/Tejas), who always stand with the 25 players in the dug-out.  “Mayor Kumagai and the people of Chiba wear No. 26 for the Astros,” said Consul-General Yamamoto.  Although Consul-General will soon return to Japan, he promised to continue to cheer for the Astros as one of many Tejas in Japan.  Consul-General is thrilled that the two Texas teams will play often now that they are in the same division of the same league. 

The Consulate-General of Japan recently designed original key chains "Japan Tejas America Tejas,” as a symbol of the friendship between the State of Texas and Japan.  One of these key chains was presented to President Postolos as a personal gift.

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