Consulate-General of Japan in Houston

Good evening everyone. My name is Nozomu Takaoka and I am the Consul General of Japan here in Houston. I am glad to attend the famous Japan Festival tomorrow for the second time since last year.  I really appreciate the strength of this Festival because it represents the happy marriage of economic prosperity cultural beauty and international diversity that makes this city of Houston so unique.

I’m especially happy to see Japan represented by such a big festival in the state, and in beautiful Hermann Park’s Japanese Garden.  Therefore, I would like to thank Hermann Park for this thoughtful and generous tradition.

I am also thankful to Japan Festival Inc., and its President Capt. Justin Cooper and Producer Ms. Melissa Krauser.  Japan Festival Inc. was established just last year and has already served the useful purpose of revitalizing Japan Festival in its 22nd year.

Marshalling community and corporate support is a key step in ensuring the longevity of this excellent event and I commend the many esteemed public figures here with us tonight for their foresight and generosity.

First of all, our friends from JASH: President J.J. Naoki, President-Elect Bill Weiland, and Executive Director Patsy Brown.  Also, Mr. Takasugi, president of Japan Business Association; Mr. Matsumura, former president of the Japanese Associate of Greater Houston and president of last year’s Festival Committee; Mr. Nakamura, president of the Houston chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League.