A Message from Consul General Ken Okaniwa

"Strengthening ties
between Japan and Florida"

October was one of the busiest months for me as it was full of activities. A very good sign for strengthening ties between Japan and Florida.

In the first week, I made my third visit to Pensacola. I had a great meeting with my good friend, Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward. I also had an interview with Pensacola Business Radio X. I presented an overview of Florida-Japan relations such as the Japanese investments in Florida.

A few weeks ago I had the honor to meet Sara, a holocaust survivor, at a meeting of the Jewish women association Hadassah in Tamarac. Mr. Stephen Matsumoto gave a lecture on Consul Chiune Sugihara, who issued transit visas and saved the lives of thousands of Jews fleeing Europe during WWII. I emphasized the importance of sharing his contribution which strengthens our friendship today.

I also attended a screening of a movie about Consul Sugihara at the Chabad of Boca Raton. I met with three persons whose father or grandfathers were issued visas by Sugihara and fled Europe. One of them, Rabbi Zalman Bukiet, presented me with an award in recognition of Sugihara’s contribution. I was very touched by the kind gesture.

On October 9th my interview with Andres Oppenheimer, host of "Oppenheimer Presenta", was aired on CNN en Español. Following the recent earthquake in Mexico, the topic was efforts to prepare for natural disasters in Japan. I explained how Japan strengthens quake resistance of buildings through building codes and how emphasis is on disaster risk mitigation and preparedness during normal times.

Later in the month, I attended the Florida International Trade and Culture Expo organized by Broward County. I spoke about investing in Japan to an audience of about 120 business and local government leaders from Florida and other countries.

I opened the Florida-Japan Aerospace & Aviation Summit in Orlando on the 25th. JETRO and the Consulate along with Space Florida and Enterprise Florida worked together to bring together 23 Japanese companies and Florida companies. I am very grateful to Senator Bill Nelson, Congressman Darren Soto, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Palm Beach Mayor Paulette Burdick for supporting this effort. We worked hard to prepare this for the last year and a half. I sincerely hope this meeting will lead to more cooperation in the coming years.

As the fall brings back traditional festivities in Japan, Floridians can enjoy their own Japanese festival in the same spirit. In Orlando, the Japan Association of Orlando will once again be hosting the Orlando Japan Festival on November 5th, with Taiko Drummers, traditional dances, and vendors. I hope you can make it!

From November 27th to 28th, five delegates from the “Walk in U.S., Talk on Japan” program doing lectures at USF in Tampa and UWF in Pensacola. They will shed light on various aspects of Japan such as foreign policy, defense policy, social and business issues. I hope you will be able to attend!

Ken Okaniwa

Consul General of Japan