Message from Consul General Seiichiro Takahashi (September 22, 2025)

It is hard to believe that a full year has already passed since I took up my post here in Boston.
 
This February, Boston declared the Emperor’s Birthday as “Japan National Day,” and for the first time in history, the Japanese flag was raised in the heart of the city in the presence of many friends of Japan. In Massachusetts, May 7 was designated as “Japan Day” by the Massachusetts House of Representatives to commemorate the landing of John Manjiro in New Bedford/Fairhaven in 1843—the first known arrival of a Japanese citizen on the U.S. mainland. Governor Maura Healey also issued a proclamation to the same effect. Meanwhile, the annual “Boston Japan Festival,” which has grown into one of the largest Japanese cultural events in the U.S., expanded to a new second venue in Downtown Crossing, making it an even more familiar spring tradition for local residents.
 
In Rhode Island, the home state of Commodore Matthew Perry, both the State Senate and the House of Representatives followed last year’s resolution celebrating the 170th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Amity by jointly designating March 31, the treaty signing day, as “Japan Day.”
 
New Hampshire marked the 120th anniversary of the Treaty of Portsmouth, which formally ended the Russo-Japanese War in 1905, with great enthusiasm this year. On September 5, the treaty signing day, both the State Senate and the House of Representatives of New Hampshire issued their first-ever joint resolution of friendship with Japan. The Bell-Ringing Ceremony in Portsmouth on that same day brought together the Governor, U.S. Senator, and many others, further strengthening our ties with the State.
 
Maine also has deep historical ties with Japan. Horace Wilson, who is credited with introducing baseball to Japan 153 years ago, was a native of Maine. In February, a commemorative event was held in his honor, followed by the establishment of the Horace Wilson Monument Committee. In July, the Portland Sea Dogs hosted a special “Japan Day” event to celebrate his legacy.
 
Relations with Connecticut—home to the second largest Japanese community in New England—and Vermont—renowned for its strong Japanese language education—are also steadily expanding in various fields.
 
It has been a year full of “firsts” and great dynamism. At the heart of these developments is the rapidly growing economic relationship between Japan and the Boston ecosystem. In Massachusetts, Japan-related businesses continue to expand rapidly, particularly through partnerships with innovative startups in life sciences and biotech, giving Japan the largest international corporate presence in the state. We are also seeing new opportunities for collaboration between world-class academic and research institutions here and leading universities in Japan. Traditional culture, Japanese cuisine, and pop culture have become part of everyday life in the region, and our own “Cultural Fridays at CGJ Boston” are becoming a cherished gathering place for local friends of Japan.
 
I am a firm believer in the power of people-to-people relations. It lies at the very heart of international relations. Between Japan and New England, there remains enormous potential across many fields—economy, culture, science and technology, education, the arts, sports, and tourism. While continuing to support the approximately 18,000 Japanese nationals living in New England so that they may lead safe and fulfilling lives, I am committed to serving as a “convening power” that connects Japan and this region, and as a catalyst for new development for future growth.
 
Once again, I would be most grateful for your continued warm support.