New Year's Greetings from Consul General Seiichiro Takahashi (January 27, 2026)

Happy New Year.
I am Seiichiro Takahashi, Consul-General of Japan in Boston.
 
It has now been already one year and four months since I assumed my post as Consul-General of Japan in Boston. During this period, through new developments such as the designation of “Japan Day” in various states/cities, I have felt on a daily basis that the ties between Japan and the New England region—including the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts—have grown even closer.
 
Supporting these developments, economic relations, academic exchange, and subnational cooperation between Japan and this region have continued to expand steadily. In Massachusetts in particular, Japan-related business has grown rapidly, centered on strengthened collaboration with local innovation-driven startups in areas such as life sciences and biotechnology, giving Japan one of the largest presences among foreign countries. Academic exchange has also entered a new phase, with industry–academia collaboration at its core, and high-level missions from leading Japanese universities visiting research institutions throughout the region very frequently.
 
During this time, the Consulate-General has endeavored to support efforts to strengthen and deepen relations between Japan and various stakeholders in New England. This year, with the aim of making our role as a “connector” and “convening power” more visible and accessible—particularly in the rapidly expanding and evolving innovation ecosystem of this region—we have launched a new concept, “J-NEXUS: Japan–New England Nexus for Innovation.” Under this initiative, we plan to regularly disseminate curated information from both Japan and New England through dedicated communication platforms, thereby contributing to the further promotion of friendship, cooperation, and collaboration between Japan and New England.
 
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. At the Japan–U.S. Summit Meeting held in Tokyo last October, President Trump stated to Prime Minister Takaichi, that we are an ally at the strongest level, and Prime Minister Takaichi expressed her determination to elevate the Japan–U.S. Alliance, already —the greatest alliance in the world, to even greater heights, together with President Trump.
 
At the Consulate-General of Japan in Boston, we will continue to devote ourselves to further enhancing consular services so that the approximately 18,000 Japanese nationals residing in our jurisdiction can live safely and with peace of mind. At the same time, we will work with full commitment to further invigorate people-to-people exchanges—particularly in the rapidly growing field of science and technology innovation cooperation originating from New England—and to elevate Japan’s relations with this region to the next level.
 
At the beginning of the New Year, I sincerely wish you continued success and prosperity, and I respectfully ask for your continued warm support and cooperation in the year ahead.