New Year Greeting from Head Consul Hamada

2025/1/1
hamada
Happy New Year.
Since my appointment in Anchorage in December 2023, I have met many people through our office’s various activities and taken part in various exchanges, and I wanted to extend my most sincere thanks to you all. Thanks to your support, I have been able to fully enjoy Alaska, a place that is blessed with diverse culture and vast, beautiful nature.
 
2024 was a special year for both Japan and the United States. In April, then Prime Minister Kishida came to the United States to conduct bilateral talks with President Biden. Their talks reaffirmed the importance of the alliance between Japan and the United States, issuing the Japan-US Joint Leaders’ Statement entitled “Global Partners for the Future.” The statement emphasizes the importance of maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
 
Last year was also a meaningful year for the relations between Japan and Alaska.
In August, as a part of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s efforts regarding memorial services and recovery of the remains of war dead abroad, a field survey team visited Attu Island. Over the course of their expedition, two sets of human remains were recovered. There are currently plans to continue this survey again this coming year, and we are hopeful for their continued success.
 
In Alaska, there are eight cities which have a sister city relationship with cities in Japan, with each city responsible for organizing exchanges for their citizens. In August 2024, Chitose and Anchorage celebrated the 55th anniversary of their sister city relationship with Chitose City’s mayor leading a delegation to visit Anchorage, an event that reaffirmed and deepened the bond between the two cities through exchange and various commemorative services. Palmer and Saroma each sent high school students on a visit to each other’s city. In November, our office, the Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage, held an online forum bringing together the sister city coordinators from each of the sister cities to exchange information and opinions. In addition, I took the opportunity to visit each of Alaska’s sister cities over the past year, meeting with city mayors and others involved with sister city relations to discuss ways to strengthen their ties moving forward.
 
Last year, there was a House of Representatives general election in Japan. In the United States, there was a presidential election. In January of this year, President-elect Donald Trump will begin his second term; so the Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage is determined to use this moment as an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between Japan and Alaska, and to this end, we are planning a number of activities.
 
Lastly, I pray that this year will be the best for you all, and I ask for your continued encouragement and support.

Consul Hamada CV