| Consul General's New Year Greeting, 2010 |
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A very Happy New Year.
I hope that 2010 will be a happy and fulfilling year for all of you.
I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone for their support and goodwill
towards the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco over the past year.
2010 is the Year of the Tiger according to the Asian zodiac.
The tiger is an image of strength, but the close care it gives to its cubs also makes it a symbol of kindness and support.
In facing the challenges of 2010, I hope that we can all weather them together with both strength and kindness.
2009 was a very dynamic year politically as we witnessed the birth of new administrations in both the United States and Japan.
President Obama and Prime Minister Hatoyama have been working closely together and have already held a number of meetings.
2010 will mark the second year of their new relationship.
We can expect further close cooperation to develop between our two countries in a number key policy areas.
2010 marks the 50th anniversary of the US-Japan Security Treaty.
This strong alliance between the United States and Japan has long formed the bedrock of peace and security in East Asia.
2010 will be an important year in which Japan and the United States must work closely together to exercise leadership in numerous issues facing the international community.
Hard and soft powers are both critical aspects of global politics, and I think that the world expects the United States and Japan to display both the strength and the kindness of the tiger.
Here at the Consulate, we look forward to further deepening the US-Japan relationship in California and Nevada this year.
It is critically important for Japan and the United States to advance together on the path of economic stabilization and recovery. We will also cooperate in developing measures to deal with climate change, the focus of last month’s conference in Copenhagen, and in promoting a high-speed rail system.
This year, we will continue to extend our utmost efforts in providing consular service as well as support for Japanese businesses here in California. We also look forward to increasing public understanding of Japan in the region through a number
of initiatives, including cultural exchange. We hope to further promote cooperation with the Japanese American community.
Finally, 2010 will mark the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese embassy to the
United States in San Francisco.
Many future leaders of Japan also arrived on board the Kanrin Maru, the first Japanese ship to
cross the Pacific in 1860.
This is a golden opportunity to develop a future perspective of friendship between California and
Japan, while celebrating it in retrospect.
I am delighted that communities here are organizing a wonderful series of events throughout 2010
to mark the occasion.
I hope that you will join us in planning these events, and I look forward very much to
celebrating together.
Again, a very happy 2010 to all of you.
Yasumasa Nagamine
Consul General of Japan in San Francisco
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