2025 New Year’s Message from Consul General Kenko Sone
2025/1/1
Happy New Year to everyone in Southern California and Arizona.
Since assuming my post in September 2022, I have now entered my third year of service in this region. So far, I have visited many places in Los Angeles and beyond, and have sought to understand Japan-U.S. exchange through firsthand experience, while the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles has focused on further expanding and deepening relations between our two countries. I would like to express my deep gratitude to Japanese nationals, Japanese American community members, and many Americans who cherish their connections with Japan for their warm hospitality at the different places where I have visited.
First of all, I would like to express our gratitude for the kind support we have received from people in Southern California and Arizona, as we continue to accept donations to assist those impacted by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, which occurred in January 2024. The donations received by the Japanese Consulate have been delivered to the local governments affected by the disaster through the Japanese Government in accordance with relevant legal procedure.
Last year, the achievements of Japanese athletes in such sports as baseball – including the exciting postseason series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres -, basketball, soccer, and skateboarding took center stage in both Japan and the U.S. In addition, films by Japanese directors and films set in Japan drew attention at the Academy Awards, while a drama series primarily featuring dialogue in Japanese won Emmys across many categories. Through the power of sports and entertainment, interest in Japan rose in 2024, bringing the people of our countries closer together.
As the security environment surrounding Japan and the international community becomes more severe, the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance and Japan-U.S. cooperation as global partners is increasing. In light of such situation, we will continue to positively conduct our activities this year to further strengthen bilateral relations in various fields, including politics, security, and the economy, as well as culture and people-to-people exchange.
As a Japanese consulate located in a region with the largest population of Japanese nationals outside of Japan, consular services are one of our most important duties and are vital to maintain direct contact with Japanese nationals. In addition to those consular services, we began accepting applications in May 2024 for the issuance of Individual Number cards to those who moved from Japan, and we will continue to work to improve the convenience of our various services.
The Japanese American community in Southern California, the largest in North America, is a linchpin of Japan-U.S. relations. While recognizing the historical and cultural importance of Little Tokyo, which celebrated its 140th anniversary last year, we will continue to support the efforts of various Japanese American organizations. At the same time, we will in particular focus on working with next-generation leaders, so that Japanese American leaders in various fields who play key roles in American society can work proactively with their Japanese counterparts to strengthen Japan-U.S. relations going forward. With the Japanese American community as the core, we would like to further deepen exchanges with a wide range of diverse communities.
Needless to say, our promotion of Japanese culture and Japanese language, as well as people-to-people exchanges in this region are important. Through JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, we will continue to promote the charms of Japan; and, in collaboration with the Japan Foundation Los Angeles, we will make our utmost efforts to expand and strengthen Japanese language education, including support for the sustained activities of Japanese language teachers in various areas. Through such exchange programs as sister-city exchanges and the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, we will further promote understanding of Japan, particularly among young people, to nurture the next generation of individuals who will support Japan-U.S. relations in the future.
Southern California is home to the largest number of Japanese companies in North America. We will continue to promote partnership between the public and private sectors to further elevate economic relations, which are supported by cooperation between economic organizations in both countries as well as private-sector business. Notably, we will support cooperation in fields including technologies to address environmental issues such as hydrogen technology, an area where Japan boasts advanced capabilities. At the same time, as U.S. interest in Japan continues to grow, we will keep working with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) to attract direct investment and tourism to Japan, as well as the further growth and export of Japanese food and alcoholic beverages. Meanwhile, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan is not only an opportunity to showcase Japan's appeal to the world, but also a great opportunity for businesspeople from around the world to gather. We will promote Expo 2025 as an opportunity for many U.S. travelers to visit, enjoy themselves and also extend their trip to other various areas in Japan. We hope this will become an opportunity for many to pursue their dreams and hopes for the future, including business matching.
In recent years, we have further ramped up our efforts to strengthen ties with the State of Arizona. Since my arrival, I have visited Arizona on 11 occasions and have seen firsthand the remarkable growth of its economy and population. I have also personally seen growing interest in Arizona among Japanese companies. I will continue to promote exchanges between Japanese companies which seek to launch or expand operations and local Arizona municipalities, and also hold economic seminars. At the same time, I will work to facilitate grassroots understanding of Japan in Arizona including through Japanese food promotion and cultural exchange.
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the World War II. The United States and Japan, which were once adversaries, have overcome the past and now enjoy an unparalleled friendship. With hope that the world will move towards harmony and cooperation rather than division and confrontation, I will do my utmost this year to further strengthen the friendship between Japan and the United States that the people of Southern California and Arizona have fostered over these many years.
In closing, I would like to extend my best wishes to Japanese nationals, members of the Japanese American community, and everyone in Southern California and Arizona for good health, happiness; and for the further development of Japan-U.S. relations in the new year.
2025/1/1
Kenko Sone
Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles
Since assuming my post in September 2022, I have now entered my third year of service in this region. So far, I have visited many places in Los Angeles and beyond, and have sought to understand Japan-U.S. exchange through firsthand experience, while the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles has focused on further expanding and deepening relations between our two countries. I would like to express my deep gratitude to Japanese nationals, Japanese American community members, and many Americans who cherish their connections with Japan for their warm hospitality at the different places where I have visited.
First of all, I would like to express our gratitude for the kind support we have received from people in Southern California and Arizona, as we continue to accept donations to assist those impacted by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, which occurred in January 2024. The donations received by the Japanese Consulate have been delivered to the local governments affected by the disaster through the Japanese Government in accordance with relevant legal procedure.
Last year, the achievements of Japanese athletes in such sports as baseball – including the exciting postseason series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres -, basketball, soccer, and skateboarding took center stage in both Japan and the U.S. In addition, films by Japanese directors and films set in Japan drew attention at the Academy Awards, while a drama series primarily featuring dialogue in Japanese won Emmys across many categories. Through the power of sports and entertainment, interest in Japan rose in 2024, bringing the people of our countries closer together.
As the security environment surrounding Japan and the international community becomes more severe, the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance and Japan-U.S. cooperation as global partners is increasing. In light of such situation, we will continue to positively conduct our activities this year to further strengthen bilateral relations in various fields, including politics, security, and the economy, as well as culture and people-to-people exchange.
As a Japanese consulate located in a region with the largest population of Japanese nationals outside of Japan, consular services are one of our most important duties and are vital to maintain direct contact with Japanese nationals. In addition to those consular services, we began accepting applications in May 2024 for the issuance of Individual Number cards to those who moved from Japan, and we will continue to work to improve the convenience of our various services.
The Japanese American community in Southern California, the largest in North America, is a linchpin of Japan-U.S. relations. While recognizing the historical and cultural importance of Little Tokyo, which celebrated its 140th anniversary last year, we will continue to support the efforts of various Japanese American organizations. At the same time, we will in particular focus on working with next-generation leaders, so that Japanese American leaders in various fields who play key roles in American society can work proactively with their Japanese counterparts to strengthen Japan-U.S. relations going forward. With the Japanese American community as the core, we would like to further deepen exchanges with a wide range of diverse communities.
Needless to say, our promotion of Japanese culture and Japanese language, as well as people-to-people exchanges in this region are important. Through JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, we will continue to promote the charms of Japan; and, in collaboration with the Japan Foundation Los Angeles, we will make our utmost efforts to expand and strengthen Japanese language education, including support for the sustained activities of Japanese language teachers in various areas. Through such exchange programs as sister-city exchanges and the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, we will further promote understanding of Japan, particularly among young people, to nurture the next generation of individuals who will support Japan-U.S. relations in the future.
Southern California is home to the largest number of Japanese companies in North America. We will continue to promote partnership between the public and private sectors to further elevate economic relations, which are supported by cooperation between economic organizations in both countries as well as private-sector business. Notably, we will support cooperation in fields including technologies to address environmental issues such as hydrogen technology, an area where Japan boasts advanced capabilities. At the same time, as U.S. interest in Japan continues to grow, we will keep working with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) to attract direct investment and tourism to Japan, as well as the further growth and export of Japanese food and alcoholic beverages. Meanwhile, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan is not only an opportunity to showcase Japan's appeal to the world, but also a great opportunity for businesspeople from around the world to gather. We will promote Expo 2025 as an opportunity for many U.S. travelers to visit, enjoy themselves and also extend their trip to other various areas in Japan. We hope this will become an opportunity for many to pursue their dreams and hopes for the future, including business matching.
In recent years, we have further ramped up our efforts to strengthen ties with the State of Arizona. Since my arrival, I have visited Arizona on 11 occasions and have seen firsthand the remarkable growth of its economy and population. I have also personally seen growing interest in Arizona among Japanese companies. I will continue to promote exchanges between Japanese companies which seek to launch or expand operations and local Arizona municipalities, and also hold economic seminars. At the same time, I will work to facilitate grassroots understanding of Japan in Arizona including through Japanese food promotion and cultural exchange.
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the World War II. The United States and Japan, which were once adversaries, have overcome the past and now enjoy an unparalleled friendship. With hope that the world will move towards harmony and cooperation rather than division and confrontation, I will do my utmost this year to further strengthen the friendship between Japan and the United States that the people of Southern California and Arizona have fostered over these many years.
In closing, I would like to extend my best wishes to Japanese nationals, members of the Japanese American community, and everyone in Southern California and Arizona for good health, happiness; and for the further development of Japan-U.S. relations in the new year.
2025/1/1
Kenko Sone
Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles