Greetings from Consul-General KOYAMA
2024/4/30
Greeting Message
I am Takeshi Koyama, and I have recently assumed the post as Consul-General of Japan in Houston. It is a profound honor to have this opportunity to contribute to strengthening relations with Texas and Oklahoma - states that are experiencing remarkable growth - at a time when the bonds between Japan and the United States continue to deepen. Upon my arrival in the United States on April 10th, I promptly undertook a series of visits to regions with significant concentrations of Japanese companies. From April 15th through 17th, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the success of these businesses and was greatly impressed by the positive impact they have had on their local communities and their contributions to economic growth. Concurrently, I began building networks and reinforcing cooperative ties with municipalities that are home to significant Japanese populations. I am firmly committed to continuing these efforts and cultivating strong relationships with key stakeholders across a wide range of sectors in both states.
At present, there are approximately 16,000 Japanese residents in Texas and about 800 in Oklahoma, both of which are within the jurisdiction of our consulate. The Consulate-General will endeavor to further enhance its full range of consular services - including passport and certification services, the protection of Japanese nationals, and the timely provision of relevant information - so that Japanese residents can live and work in safety and security, and so that they may flourish across diverse fields including business, academia, culture, and sports. We are equally committed to ensuring that Japanese travelers visiting these states may do so with confidence and peace of mind.
Supported by abundant energy resources, a robust industrial base, and sustained population growth, Texas rightly serves as the “engine of the United States economy.” Alongside the state's traditional strengths in the energy sector — notably oil and gas — a wide array of industries, including aerospace and healthcare, continue to thrive. Oklahoma, for its part, has built upon its longstanding foundations in the energy sector while successfully diversifying into industries such as aerospace and manufacturing. The enduring investments made by Japanese companies in both states have contributed immensely to regional economic development and job creation, and are indispensable to the cultivation of a strong and mutually beneficial Japan-United States relationship. The Consulate-General will actively disseminate information regarding the business environment and strengthen cooperation with local governments and relevant organizations in both states, with a view to ensuring that Japanese companies can operate and expand smoothly.
The ties binding Texas, Oklahoma, and Japan through cultural and people-to-people exchange are both deep and enduring, with a rich history that has been passed down through the generations. Vibrant cultural and economic exchanges are taking place, led by a wide array of Japan-related organizations, including the Japan-America Societies, the U.S.-Japan Council, the Japanese American Citizens League, local Japanese associations, and Japanese chambers of commerce. Moreover, grassroots-level exchanges - such as long-standing sister city partnerships and university exchange programs - continue to flourish, and I wish to express my profound respect and admiration for the dedicated efforts of all those involved. Such cultural and people-to-people exchanges form a vital foundation for deepening mutual understanding and fostering friendly relations between our two nations, and I very much look forward to working together with all stakeholders to further advance these bonds.
We warmly welcome your thoughts, recommendations, and cooperation as we strive together to further strengthen the Japan-United States relationship. We are deeply grateful for your continued understanding and support.
At present, there are approximately 16,000 Japanese residents in Texas and about 800 in Oklahoma, both of which are within the jurisdiction of our consulate. The Consulate-General will endeavor to further enhance its full range of consular services - including passport and certification services, the protection of Japanese nationals, and the timely provision of relevant information - so that Japanese residents can live and work in safety and security, and so that they may flourish across diverse fields including business, academia, culture, and sports. We are equally committed to ensuring that Japanese travelers visiting these states may do so with confidence and peace of mind.
Supported by abundant energy resources, a robust industrial base, and sustained population growth, Texas rightly serves as the “engine of the United States economy.” Alongside the state's traditional strengths in the energy sector — notably oil and gas — a wide array of industries, including aerospace and healthcare, continue to thrive. Oklahoma, for its part, has built upon its longstanding foundations in the energy sector while successfully diversifying into industries such as aerospace and manufacturing. The enduring investments made by Japanese companies in both states have contributed immensely to regional economic development and job creation, and are indispensable to the cultivation of a strong and mutually beneficial Japan-United States relationship. The Consulate-General will actively disseminate information regarding the business environment and strengthen cooperation with local governments and relevant organizations in both states, with a view to ensuring that Japanese companies can operate and expand smoothly.
The ties binding Texas, Oklahoma, and Japan through cultural and people-to-people exchange are both deep and enduring, with a rich history that has been passed down through the generations. Vibrant cultural and economic exchanges are taking place, led by a wide array of Japan-related organizations, including the Japan-America Societies, the U.S.-Japan Council, the Japanese American Citizens League, local Japanese associations, and Japanese chambers of commerce. Moreover, grassroots-level exchanges - such as long-standing sister city partnerships and university exchange programs - continue to flourish, and I wish to express my profound respect and admiration for the dedicated efforts of all those involved. Such cultural and people-to-people exchanges form a vital foundation for deepening mutual understanding and fostering friendly relations between our two nations, and I very much look forward to working together with all stakeholders to further advance these bonds.
We warmly welcome your thoughts, recommendations, and cooperation as we strive together to further strengthen the Japan-United States relationship. We are deeply grateful for your continued understanding and support.