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| Greeting from Consul General Yoshiharu Namiki |
Thank you for visiting the website of the Consulate General of Japan in Miami. My name is Yoshiharu Namiki. I just arrived on August 29, 2009 from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo to assume my new post as the Consul General of Japan. I am the eighth person to carry the important duties and heavy responsibilities that accompany this title since the Florida consulate was officially established in 1992. Like many Japanese people, I have always associated Florida with Disney World, Major League Baseball, NASA space shuttle launches, scenic landscapes, and its befitting nickname “The Sunshine State.” For that and much more, it is a privilege to be here.
I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1974, and by 1976 I was studying Spanish language and International Relations at universities in Spain. Throughout my career, I have been on diplomatic missions to Panama, Chile, Cuba, Spain (Barcelona), Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Venezuela. They are all Ibero-Latin idiosyncratic countries. So this is my first assignment in an Anglo-Saxon country of the Americas, but because the Consulate is located in Miami Dade County, where there is a very populous Hispanic-Latino community, I can hear Spanish spoken as often as English. The prevalence of the Spanish language reminds me of the places where I have lived for the past many years. It is no wonder why Miami truly is the “Gateway to Latin America.”
This geopolitical aspect of Miami had offered me the opportunity to visit Miami innumerable times in the past to have discussions with prominent university academics and political dignitaries. Before assuming my position, I researched the State of Florida by reading books and documents of its history and culture as well as discussing those topics with government officials, university experts, and business leaders. I found that Florida has the fourth highest GDP after California, Texas, and New York, and will likely have the third largest population in the United States by 2011, overcoming the population of New York. Compared to the economic scales of Brazil and Mexico, the two largest economies of Latin America, Florida’s GDP is half of Brazil’s and almost near the size of Mexico’s, which is part of NAFTA. It is evident that Florida is a leading state in the Western Hemisphere, and its potential and prosperity will continue to grow. I am extremely proud to be here and look forward to strengthening Japan’s relationship with Florida.
My mission is to do my best for Florida and to enhance its ties with Japan while being receptive to your opinions, ideas, and targets. Whether in economics, politics, or culture, I will work tirelessly to build new links of people and to further strengthen the existing partnership between Florida and Japan. This is my duty and commitment. Currently, in my jurisdiction, there are approximately 6,500 Japanese people who reside in Florida and annually over 100,000 Japanese people come to visit. In addition, there is a multitude of established Japanese companies and organizations located here, including all those affiliated with the Southeast U.S./Japan Association (SEUS – Japan), Japan Business Association (JBA), and Japan America Societies.
Given the strong Japanese presence in Florida, it is understandable that one of the consulate’s top priorities is to secure and protect the interest of the Japanese community by advising and providing information on natural disasters and threats such as hurricanes and the H1N1 virus. The consulate is also concerned with expanding public relations, gaining more media contacts to disseminate accurate and objective news regarding Japan, updating the website, distributing materials covering Japan-related topics, and carrying out public diplomacy. A key function of the culture section is to administer the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, which aims to promote grass-roots international exchange between Japan and other nations by selecting qualified individuals to work in Japanese schools and government agencies.
As Consul General, I will seize opportunities for collaboration between public and private sectors. First and foremost in my mind is the possibility of sharing Shinkansen technology with Florida. The Shinkansen is Japan’s world-renowned network of high-speed railway lines, also known as the bullet train. This suggestion comes in light of the Obama administration’s initiative to construct a high-speed rail system connecting Miami, Tampa, and Orlando to ease traffic congestion. Japan may be of great assistance in accomplishing this goal, as it prides itself on its safe, efficient, and quick public transportation.
Furthermore, I intend to closely observe the federal elections that will take place during my time in Miami. Historically, Florida has been a pivotal state in determining the outcome of elections. It will be exciting to be at the heart of preparations for this upcoming election.
In sum, there are infinite possibilities in which I hope we may expand upon the Japan-Florida relationship via the Consulate General of Japan in Miami. It is my duty and my pleasure to promote better understanding of Japan, encourage cooperation, and welcome the input of all Floridians. I am honored to be serving this beautiful and diverse community. Thank you very much.
Yoshiharu Namiki
Consul General of Japan in Miami |
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