New Year's Greeting from Head Consul Kiyohiko Hamada
2026/1/1
Happy New Year.
Since my appointment in Anchorage in December 2023, these two years have passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, through the various activities of our office, I have had the privilege of meeting many people and engaging in diverse exchanges. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the support and kindness extended to me. Thanks to your support, I have been able to fully enjoy both my work and daily life here in Alaska, a place blessed with magnificent natural beauty and rich cultural diversity.
2025 was a particularly significant year for Japan and the United States. In February, then Prime Minister Ishiba visited the United States and held a bilateral talks with President Trump, during which the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining and strengthening the increasingly robust Japan–U.S. relationship and issued a joint leaders’ statement. In October, President Trump visited Japan to meet with Prime Minister Takaichi, and the leaders signed a series of agreements aimed at further reinforcing the Japan-U.S. Alliance.
Here in Alaska, energy and resource development, most notably the Alaska LNG Project, has been gaining attention with strong support from the federal government. Japanese companies have also expressed interest and further progress is anticipated.
Japan and Alaska share eight sister-city relationships, and a wide range of exchanges continue to take place between these communities. In October 2025, for example, the Mayor of Anchorage with her delegation visited Chitose, while the Mayor of Sitka and accompanying members visited Nemuro, providing valuable opportunities to reaffirm the bonds between these sister cities. I myself visited both Sitka and Ketchikan last year, engaging in discussions with the mayors and other local leaders to further strengthen our ties. With these visits, I have now had the opportunity to visit all eight of Japan’s sister cities in Alaska during my assignment in Anchorage.
Finally, as we welcome the New Year, I sincerely hope that 2026 will be a wonderful year for all of you. The Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage will continue to undertake various initiatives aimed at further deepening the relationship between Japan and Alaska. I kindly ask for your continued support and cooperation.
Kiyohiko Hamada
Head Consul, Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage
Consul Hamada CV
Since my appointment in Anchorage in December 2023, these two years have passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, through the various activities of our office, I have had the privilege of meeting many people and engaging in diverse exchanges. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the support and kindness extended to me. Thanks to your support, I have been able to fully enjoy both my work and daily life here in Alaska, a place blessed with magnificent natural beauty and rich cultural diversity.
2025 was a particularly significant year for Japan and the United States. In February, then Prime Minister Ishiba visited the United States and held a bilateral talks with President Trump, during which the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining and strengthening the increasingly robust Japan–U.S. relationship and issued a joint leaders’ statement. In October, President Trump visited Japan to meet with Prime Minister Takaichi, and the leaders signed a series of agreements aimed at further reinforcing the Japan-U.S. Alliance.
Here in Alaska, energy and resource development, most notably the Alaska LNG Project, has been gaining attention with strong support from the federal government. Japanese companies have also expressed interest and further progress is anticipated.
Japan and Alaska share eight sister-city relationships, and a wide range of exchanges continue to take place between these communities. In October 2025, for example, the Mayor of Anchorage with her delegation visited Chitose, while the Mayor of Sitka and accompanying members visited Nemuro, providing valuable opportunities to reaffirm the bonds between these sister cities. I myself visited both Sitka and Ketchikan last year, engaging in discussions with the mayors and other local leaders to further strengthen our ties. With these visits, I have now had the opportunity to visit all eight of Japan’s sister cities in Alaska during my assignment in Anchorage.
Finally, as we welcome the New Year, I sincerely hope that 2026 will be a wonderful year for all of you. The Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage will continue to undertake various initiatives aimed at further deepening the relationship between Japan and Alaska. I kindly ask for your continued support and cooperation.
Kiyohiko Hamada
Head Consul, Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage
Consul Hamada CV