【January 1, 2021】New Year Greeting from Consul General INAGAKI Hisao

Happy New Year! Four months have passed since I assumed the position as Consul General here in Seattle. During this period, I was able to interact with the deep Japanese-American history here, through dedication of a flower wreath at the Nisei War Memorial at Lake View Cemetery, and visits to old Japantown including Panama Hotel and NVC Memorial Hall. In addition, on October 5, I joined Seattle Japanese Garden for a ginkgo biloba tree planting ceremony. The day marked the 60th anniversary of the hand-planting of a cherry tree and a Betula pendula by Their Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko (now Their Majesties the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita) who were visiting Seattle in 1960 as the 100th anniversary of the Japan-US Treaty of Amity and Commerce. The Consulate-Genral of Japan in Seattle celebrated its 120th anniversary on December 22, since its opening on December 22, 1900 (Meiji 33 in the Japanese Calendar). Considering that one hundred and eighty-seven years have passed since first Japanese came to this region, history has been weaving a complicated fabric that continues to stretch towards the present.

The past year focused on measures regarding COVID-19. I would like to express my deepest sympathy to those and their families who have been affected by the pandemic. I would also like to extend my appreciation and respect to all essential workers and medical professionals on the frontline fighting this virus. I wish the situation would get better this year.

Instead of considering the pandemic as a temporary traumatic incident, I believe that we have to make this crisis an “accelerator” for change. We have already seen dramatic changes, also known as the “new normal,” such as the rise of e-commerce/online shopping, and use of video conferencing. It is my belief that this trend will continue even after effective treatments and vaccines become available.

Today, the world is much more connected than ever before. Pandemics and many other problems we are facing are borderless and require a multilateral approach. We will never forget that the U.S. helped Japan through Operation Tomodachi and many countries aided Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake almost 10 years ago. In the face of this current crisis, it is important for us to adapt responding to infectious disease control and economic impact while cooperating internationally with each country including the United States.

While the world changes to this new normal, it is the consulate’s mission to maintain and further develop the friendship relations between Washington, Montana State, and Japan. I would like to give it my all in 2021. I look forward to working with you in the New Year.