CG Sone Farewell Greeting

To the residents of Southern California and Arizona, On August 11, I will be completing my term of nearly three years -- or two years, eleven months, and ten days to be exact -- and will be leaving my post to return to Japan. Over the past three years, I have visited many places -- not only in Los Angeles but also in other cities -- in an effort to gain a firsthand understanding of the relationship between Japan and the United States. Throughout this time, I have focused my efforts on further expanding and deepening these bilateral bonds. I am deeply grateful for the warm welcome I received at every location from Japanese nationals and the Japanese American community, as well as from many Americans who value their connections with Japan.

As Consul General, I have engaged in a variety of matters. Numerous instances and moments come to my mind. Many of them were deeply moving.

Consular work is the most important duty of our office, which serves over 90,000 Japanese nationals - more than any other overseas Japanese diplomatic mission in the world. During the massive wildfires in January and protests following federal immigration enforcement actions in June, we responded and swiftly issued consular alerts and provided information through the Consulate’s social media and website. Regarding the wildfire response, the Government of Japan contributed $2 million dollars in aid through the American Red Cross, which helped strengthen trust between Japan and local communities.

I also devoted considerable time to strengthening ties with diverse communities such as Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI), Latino, Jewish, African American, and Armenian groups, as well as local municipalities. With Japanese companies, I worked to bolster their presence in fields such as hydrogen technology, semiconductors, space, and startups, and to strengthen economic ties with the State of Arizona. I also encouraged tourism to Japan based on regional attractions and promoted Japanese food and sake, and supported collaborations between Japanese and American businesses.

In addition, I focused on communicating Japanese diplomacy, such as realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and enhancing Japan-U.S.-Australia-India (QUAD) cooperation. I promoted exchanges between the U.S. Forces and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, as well as initiatives involving traditional culture, entertainment, Japanese language, youth exchange, sister city relationships, sports exchanges, and partnerships with Japan-America societies, the Asia Society, think tanks, universities, and more. I also poured my energy into working with JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles to present the attractive aspects of Japan.

As the consulate covering the largest Japanese American community in North America, strengthening our relationship with the Japanese American community has been and will continue to be one of our most vital undertakings. I toured sites, museums, and community centers tied to Japanese American heritage in Little Tokyo, Sawtelle, Crenshaw, Gardena, Boyle Heights, Terminal Island, San Fernando Valley, Venice, East San Gabriel Valley, Norwalk, Manzanar, and Imperial Valley. I watched documentaries such as “Defining Courage” and “Baseball Behind Barbed Wire.” Through these experiences, I learned history, reflected on the paths of our predecessors, and tried to speak with and listen to Japanese Americans as much as possible. These heart-to-heart connections made me realize the accomplishments of Japanese Americans throughout history, with their resilience to overcome hardships and build a strong community, form the foundation that links Japan and the U.S. and support the present, often referred to as the "golden era" of Japan-U.S. relations.

At the same time, it is even more important that we pass down these bonds between Japan and the U.S. to future generations. That is our responsibility. That is why one of my top priorities was nurturing the next generation Japanese American leaders. The initiative has been producing tangible results.

Looking ahead, I sincerely hope the next generation leaders from both Japan and the United States, including those Japanese Americans, will continue to deepen mutual exchange in all fields -- political, economic, cultural, and beyond -- and serve as vital bridges between our two nations. I firmly believe they will play a central role in advancing the Japan-U.S. relationship and elevating our alliance to even greater heights.

There are not enough words to express my appreciation for the friendship and kind support I received from many people these past three years. But if I had to convey my feelings in just one word, it would be the same as this year’s Nisei Week theme: “Kansha” or “Gratitude.” The very last thing I will do as Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles will be to participate in the Nisei Week Parade on Sunday, August 10, and express my heartfelt gratitude to all before my departure.

My successor will be Mr. Kosei Murota, who served as Cabinet Councillor at the National Security Secretariat. He will arrive on August 11, and I would be most grateful for your continued support.

Thank you very much.