Message from Consul General Seiichiro Takahashi (September, 2026)

I am Seiichiro Takahashi, Consul General of Japan in Boston. It is hard to believe that two years have already passed since my arrival.

This year, which marks the 250th anniversary since the founding of the United States, has seen even greater development in relations with Japan across various regions and fields.

In Boston and Rhode Island, “Japan Day” celebrations were held with great enthusiasm once again. In Massachusetts, May 7th, the day Manjiro Nakahama landed in New Bedford and Fairhaven in 1843, has been designated as “Japan Day”. This occasion was marked with resolutions adopted by both houses of the legislature and a proclamation issued by the governor. With the upcoming broadcast of the 28th NHK Taiga Drama “John Man” in 2028, we anticipate that this region will become even more familiar to Japan.

In Connecticut, the “250 Japanese Cherry Trees Across Connecticut” initiative celebrated the U.S. 250th anniversary through cherry tree plantings at various locations. In Maine, events commemorating the friendship fostered through baseball, which was introduced to Japan from this region 153 years ago, generated even more excitement.

Furthermore, in New Hampshire, the Portsmouth Bell Ringing Ceremony, marking the end of the Russo-Japanese War, was held solemnly again this year on September 5th at 3:47 PM, and I participated alongside many Portsmouth residents.

This year also marked the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Various events were held throughout New England, and in Vermont, where both houses of the legislature adopted resolutions demonstrating solidarity and friendship between Japan and the U.S.

As friendships and trust deepen across the region, innovation cooperation and related business between Japan and New England, including Boston, continue to thrive, particularly in the scientific and technological fields. Earlier this year, to further promote these activities, our consulate launched a new initiative: “J-NEXUS (Japan-New England Nexus for Innovation).” Under this initiative, we publish the “J-NEXUS Quarterly,” which compiles Japan-U.S. innovation-related information from the region, establish the “Japanese PI List,” aimed at fostering international brain circulation, and organize events such as Innovation Spotlight: Japan” held in cooperation with the Boston Museum of Science in May. Through these efforts, we are committed to powerfully disseminating Japan’s cutting-edge innovation activities from this region to the world and striving for further multi-layered development of Japan-U.S. relations.

The “Boston Japan Festival,” now in its 13th year, has truly become one of the largest Japanese cultural events in the United States, attracting 130,000 visitors. For the first time, alcoholic beverages such as sake and Japanese beer were sold at the Downtown Crossing venue. In addition, our consulate’s “Cultural and Innovative Evening” has also become a well-established event, reaching its 33rd installment this August. With a significant with growing numbers of performers travelling from Japan, I believe it has firmly established itself as a platform for sharing Japan-related information and culture in this region.

Over the past two years, we have fulfilled our duties and responsibilities as the Consulate General thanks to the warm understanding and support of everyone active in various fields; politics, economy, science and technology, academia and education, culture and sports. We have also benefitted greatly from the Japanese communities, such as the Boston Japanese Language School, which celebrated its 50th anniversary, and Japanese associations across the region. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those who have contributed to our efforts.

I firmly believe that “people-to-people exchange” is at the heart of relations between nations. There remains immense potential for a deeper connection and cooperation between Japan and New England. While supporting the approximately 18,000 Japanese nationals residing and contributing to various fields in New England, and ensuring their safety and well-being above all, we will work harder than ever to be a strong bridge connecting Japan and the United States in New England and a catalyst for new development in our bilateral relationship. We kindly ask for your continued warm support.

Seiichiro Takahashi
Consul General of Japan in Boston