Consul General Takahashi’s Attendance at the Conference of New England Japan-focused Nonprofits (October 26, 2025)
October 29, 2025
On October 26, Consul General Takahashi attended the Conference of New England Japan-focused Nonprofits held in Newport, Rhode Island, and delivered the keynote address.
The conference, hosted by the Japan-America Society of Southern New England (JASNE), brought together representatives of Japan-related nonprofit organizations from across the six states of New England to exchange ideas on further promoting cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchange between Japan and the United States.
Following opening remarks by Mr. Robert Dahlin, President of JASNE, Mr. Andy Wylegala, President of the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS), and representatives from various organizations—including Japan-America Societies, sister-city and sister-state organizations, academic institutions, Japanese and Japanese-American community groups, JET alumni, and other Japan-related entities—gave presentations and engaged in active discussions on initiatives in education, regional cooperation, and grassroots exchange.
Mr. Hiroyuki Kojima, Director General of the Japan Foundation, New York (The Japan Cultural Center), which supports Japan-America Society activities, also joined the conference online and delivered remarks.
In his keynote speech, Consul General Takahashi highlighted the diverse achievements of grassroots exchanges across the New England states, stating that “people-to-people relations lie at the very heart of international relations.” He expressed his intention for the Consulate to continue serving as a convening power, and catalyst connecting Japan and the New England region, and to further strengthen partnerships with local organizations. He also conveyed his hope that the networks among participating groups would become even more practical and effective through this conference.
The conference, hosted by the Japan-America Society of Southern New England (JASNE), brought together representatives of Japan-related nonprofit organizations from across the six states of New England to exchange ideas on further promoting cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchange between Japan and the United States.
Following opening remarks by Mr. Robert Dahlin, President of JASNE, Mr. Andy Wylegala, President of the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS), and representatives from various organizations—including Japan-America Societies, sister-city and sister-state organizations, academic institutions, Japanese and Japanese-American community groups, JET alumni, and other Japan-related entities—gave presentations and engaged in active discussions on initiatives in education, regional cooperation, and grassroots exchange.
Mr. Hiroyuki Kojima, Director General of the Japan Foundation, New York (The Japan Cultural Center), which supports Japan-America Society activities, also joined the conference online and delivered remarks.
In his keynote speech, Consul General Takahashi highlighted the diverse achievements of grassroots exchanges across the New England states, stating that “people-to-people relations lie at the very heart of international relations.” He expressed his intention for the Consulate to continue serving as a convening power, and catalyst connecting Japan and the New England region, and to further strengthen partnerships with local organizations. He also conveyed his hope that the networks among participating groups would become even more practical and effective through this conference.